Chelsea beat Everton 2-0 on Saturday in their Premier League fixture at Stamford Bridge, with Cole Palmer scoring his first goal since returning from injury.
The 23-year-old was making just his third start of the season. He had previously been forced off against Manchester United with a groin issue in September.
Everton had started well, with their talisman Iliman Ndiaye threatening. However, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall was replaced after 13 minutes with a suspected hamstring injury.
From there, Chelsea held the advantage.
Gusto stars and Chelsea are comfortable
Palmer opened the scoring in the 21st minute with a clinical near-post finish following a lovely threaded pass from Malo Gusto.
The hosts could easily have doubled their lead two minutes later. Carlos Alcaraz, who came on for Dewsbury-Hall, played a wayward back pass, which Alejandro Garnacho intercepted.
Everton goalkeeper Pickford rushed out of his goal, but Garnacho placed wide from the edge of the box.
The visitors then pressed for an equaliser and almost found one through Thierno Barry. Idrissa Gueye squared for the Everton striker, though Chelsea’s Robert Sanchez got a vital touch, flicking the ball through Barry’s legs.
But the wind was knocked out of their sails when Gusto poked home Chelsea’s second just before halftime. He passed to Pedro Neto, who beat Everton’s fullback and then cutback for the France International to finish.
Gusto had made 165 professional appearances before scoring his first-ever senior goal, against Wolves last month. This was his second in six Premier League games. It was his first time scoring and assisting in a match.
It was the hosts who looked more likely to add to their tally after the break. Garnacho continued to be wasteful, hitting the side-netting from a tight angle. He then fired over after showing electric pace to meet a Sanchez long ball.
Everton didn’t manage a shot on target in the second half. The Toffees struggled to create any clear-cut opportunities throughout. Jack Grealish saw a header tipped over and then missed their best chance of the match in the 72nd minute.
Ndiaye hit the post with three minutes remaining, and Trevoh Chalobah crucially blocked an Alcaraz effort.
The Blues saw out a comfortable victory after four minutes of added time.
Palmer’s return is a major boost for the Blues
Palmer played in almost every game during his first two years at the club. However, his groin has troubled him all season. After multiple setbacks, manager Enzo Maresca won’t risk his best player and has already said he is unlikely to feature in midweek.
It only took Palmer 20 minutes to highlight just how much he has been missed. This was just his third goal of the season. It gave his team a crucial advantage in what had been a tight start to the game.
The Blue had been winless in four games across all competitions after a disappointing run. In their last Premier League fixture, they played out a goalless draw against Bournemouth.
Their biggest problems have been a failure to create good chances and a lack of clinical finishing. Starman Palmer can rectify both.
Chelsea fans will also have been relieved to see Wesley Fofana back in the starting lineup. He was substituted against Atalanta due to an eye injury on Tuesday.
Fofana is forming a solid defensive partnership with Chalobah. The pair have now kept five clean sheets in six Premier League starts together this season. They nullified Everton’s attack impressively in the second half.
Frustration for David Moyes
David Moyes’ side had actually come into the game in good form, having won four of their last five Premier League games. This included a 3-0 win against Nottingham Forest last weekend.
In that game, Barry opened his account for the club, and Dewsbury-Hall continued his good run of form.
However, this performance was poor. Dewsbury Hall’s injury added to a disappointing day. They will hope that their midfielder won’t be out for long.
The Toffees remain on 24 points and could fall out of the top half of the table by the end of this matchweek. They face league leaders Arsenal next Saturday.
Chelsea will be delighted to have Palmer back and, for now, climb to fourth. The Blues travel to Cardiff on Tuesday for their EFL Cup quarter-final tie. Their next league game is away at Newcastle.
Moises Caicedo will also return from suspension.