Match summary

The game started with a high tempo, as both teams looked to create chances and assert their dominance. 

Chelsea had the first opportunity in the fifth Minute, when Timo Werner’s shot was blocked by Michael Keane. 

Everton responded with a counter-attack, but Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s cross was cleared by Antonio Rudiger.

The deadlock was broken in the 15th minute, when Doucoure brought down Chilwell in the penalty area, and referee Craig Pawson pointed to the spot. 

Jorginho stepped up and sent Jordan Pickford the wrong way, scoring his fourth goal of the season.

Everton tried to react, and came close to equalizing in the 25th minute, when Demarai Gray’s curling effort from the edge of the box was tipped over by Edouard Mendy. 

The home side continued to press, and had another chance in the 35th minute, when Doucoure’s header from a corner was saved by Mendy.

Chelsea, however, remained dangerous on the break, and almost doubled their lead in the 40th minute, when Werner’s low shot from a tight angle was pushed away by Pickford. 

The German striker had another chance in the 43rd minute, when he latched onto a long ball from Jorginho, but his lob was off target.

The second half saw Everton increase their intensity, and they nearly leveled the score in the 53rd minute, when Doucoure’s volley from a cross by Gray was brilliantly saved by Mendy. 

The Chelsea goalkeeper was called into action again in the 60th minute, when he denied Calvert-Lewin’s header from a free-kick.

Chelsea, however, managed to control the game and limit Everton’s chances, as they kept possession and defended well. 

The visitors had a chance to seal the win in the 80th minute, when Hakim Ziyech’s shot from outside the box was parried by Pickford. 

Everton had one last chance in the 90th minute, when Richarlison’s header from a cross by Lucas Digne was caught by Mendy.

The final whistle confirmed Chelsea’s first win at Goodison Park since 2017, and moved them up to 10th place in the table, with 21 points from 16 games.

Everton, meanwhile, remained in 18th place, with 14 points from 15 games, and faced the prospect of a relegation battle.

Key statistics

• Chelsea had 56% of possession, 18 shots, and six shots on target, while Everton had 44% of possession, 11 shots, and four shots on target. 

• Jorginho scored his fourth penalty of the season, and his 12th in the Premier League since his debut in 2018. He has missed only one of his 13 attempts in the competition. 

• Mendy kept his ninth clean sheet of the season, the most by any goalkeeper in the Premier League. He has conceded only eight goals in 16 games, the fewest by any goalkeeper who has played more than five games. 

• Everton have lost seven of their first 15 league games for the first time since 1994-95, when they finished 17th and avoided relegation by one point. 

• Chelsea have won four of their last five away games in the Premier League, scoring 12 goals and conceding three.

What the managers said

Everton manager Sean Dyche: "I thought we gave a good account of ourselves. We were competitive, we created chances, we defended well. We were unlucky with the penalty, I think it was a soft one. But we showed character and spirit, and we didn’t give up. We have to take the positives from this game and move on."

Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino: "I’m very happy with the performance and the result. It was a tough game, Everton are a good team, they have quality players. We knew we had to be focused and disciplined. We scored a good goal, we defended well, we controlled the game. We could have scored more, but we are satisfied with the three points."

What’s next?

Everton will face Newcastle United away on Wednesday, December 13, in their next Premier League game. 

Chelsea will host Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge on the same day, in a London derby. Both games will kick off at 8:00 pm local time.