Cole Palmer scores first Premier League goal since September as Blues lead at Stamford Bridge
Cole Palmer scored his first Premier League goal in three months as Chelsea broke the deadlock against Everton, with Enzo Maresca’s side looking to get back to winning ways.
The England international, who only recently returned to the fold due to a groin problem and then a broken toe, struck in the 21st minute of the match at Stamford Bridge to inflict further misery on the Toffees, who had previously lost in-form midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall to injury, playing against his former club.
Palmer was played in by a neat pass from Malo Gusto, before beating compatriot Jordan Pickford at his near post.
It was a perfect start for Maresca’s men, who are winless in their last four games in all competitions and looking to bounce back from the 2-1 defeat to Atalanta in the Champions League in Bergamo on Tuesday.
For Everton, who went into the match full of confidence after a run of four Premier League wins in their last five matches, the early setback proved ominous.
Gusto doubled Chelsea’s advantage in first-half stoppage time to put the hosts in a dominant position going into the break.
The Merseysiders have not won at Stamford Bridge in the top flight since 1994, while their manager, David Moyes, has never tasted Premier League victory there.
CHELSEA TEAM NEWS
Liam Delap once again misses the match with a shoulder injury, while the match comes too early for Dario Essugo (thigh).
It is unclear when Roméo Lavia will be able to return from a muscular problem which has kept him sidelined since the November 5 clash with Qarabag.
Cole Palmer returns to the starting lineup after being rested midweek. Malo Gusto, Wesley Fofana and Alejandro Garnacho are also recalled.
Chelsea: Sanchez; Gusto, W Fofana, Chalobah, Cucurella; Fernandez, James, Neto, Palmer, Garnacho; João Pedro
EVERTON TEAM NEWS
Jarrad Branthwaite (hamstring) remains sidelined for Everton, who will once again be without Merlin Rohl as he continues to recover from hernia surgery.
Idrissa Gana Gueye returns after serving a three-match ban for slapping teammate Michael Keane.
Everton: Pickford, O’Brien, Keane, Tarkowski, Mykolenko, Gueye, Garner, Ndiaye, Dewsbury-Hall, Grealish, Barry
How to watch Chelsea vs Everton: TV channel, live streams online
Chelsea v Everton kicks off on Saturday at 3:00 p.m. GMT (10:00 a.m. ET / 7:00 a.m. PT) and will not be broadcast live in the UK.
Chelsea vs Everton stats
- Chelsea are unbeaten in their last 30 Premier League home games against Everton (W17 D13). It was their longest undefeated home run against an opponent in league history. Only at Leeds United did Everton have a longer run without a win (36 from 1953 to 2001).
- Everton have failed to score in 27 different Premier League games against Chelsea, including each of the last three games in a row. They only failed more often against Manchester United and Liverpool (28 each).
- Chelsea are winless in their last three Premier League matches (D2 L1) after winning five of their previous six matches (L1). The Blues’ only long winless run under Maresca came in December and January last season (five games).
- Everton have won four of their last five Premier League matches, keeping a clean sheet in each victory. Since David Moyes’ first game of his second half on January 15 this year, only Manchester City (13), Arsenal (13) and Chelsea (11) have had more Premier League wins without conceding than Everton (10).
- Chelsea have dropped more points in winning Premier League home games than any other team this season (8), drawing 1-1, with Arsenal scoring first last time out. It’s already one point more than they lost at home after winning all of last season (7).
