Neto’s brace ends Everton’s unbeaten start
Pedro Neto scored twice in the second half to guide Chelsea to a 2-0 win at Everton on Saturday in a Premier League match marred by a serious-looking head injury to Chelsea goalkeeper Emi Martínez. The result snapped David Moyes’ side’s perfect start and handed Xabi Alonso’s Chelsea a landmark away win.
It was also a first clean sheet in 23 league games for the Blues, who won away against the Toffees for only the second time in 10 attempts. Everton had gone unbeaten through their opening six fixtures before the visit of the Blues to Premier League matchweek seven.
The flashpoint of the afternoon arrived just before half-time, when Morgan Rogers, already on a yellow card for a tussle with James Tarkowski, went in studs up on James Garner in a challenge neither referee Paul Tierney nor VAR felt warranted a second caution, a decision that enraged home supporters when Rogers’ driving run created the opening goal 44 seconds into the second half. Neto added a second with 11 minutes of stoppage time still to play, sliding home from Jordan Henderson’s deflected free-kick for the first Premier League double of his Chelsea career.
Martínez stretchered off
There was concern for the visitors as Emiliano Martínez was stretchered off midway through the second half, after a worrying clash of heads with Jarrad Branthwaite. The goalkeeper was taken to hospital, casting a shadow over an otherwise comfortable afternoon for the away side.
Penders makes Chelsea history
Mike Penders became Chelsea’s youngest goalkeeper in Premier League history when he replaced Emiliano Martinez in the second half, making his English top-flight debut at the age of 21 years and 78 days and surpassing Lenny Pidgeley as the club’s youngest keeper in the league since 1992. The Belgian later wrote that it had been “a very proud moment for me and my family to make my Premier League debut with Chelsea”, while also sending well wishes to Martínez.
Tarkowski’s response: top of the duels charts
While the result stung, Everton’s captain has emerged as the individual story of the club’s campaign. James Tarkowski has won more duels than any other Premier League player this season, with 57 from his opening seven matches, having started every league game and played all 630 available minutes. He also ranks second in the division for interceptions, with 22 to his name.
Tarkowski has contributed at the other end of the pitch too, recording one goal and one assist as Everton have taken 10 points from their opening seven matches. Discussing his form this week, the 33-year-old said simply: “I feel good, I feel fit, I feel strong.”
Elsewhere in Everton colours: Ferguson returns in Belfast
Away from Hill Dickinson Stadium, former Everton striker and caretaker boss Duncan Ferguson has returned to management, taking charge of Irish Premiership club Glentoran. The move gives the Scot his first dugout role since leaving Goodison Park’s coaching staff and will be followed closely on this side of the Irish Sea.
What’s next for Moyes’ side
Everton now have to regroup quickly, with Tarkowski’s consistency likely to remain the platform Moyes builds from as the club tries to arrest any slide after its first league defeat of the campaign. The pressure facing top-flight managers has been a recurring theme this autumn, as shown by the scrutiny around Michael Carrick at Manchester United, even if Moyes’ position remains far more secure given Everton’s points tally.
Merseyside’s managerial landscape has also shifted this year, with former Liverpool boss Arne Slot taking on a new UEFA role after leaving Anfield, a reminder of how quickly fortunes can change for clubs on both sides of Stanley Park. For now, Everton’s focus stays on using their captain’s form as a platform to respond to Saturday’s reverse and keep climbing the table.