Everton Create Flurry Of Chances In Harsh Chelsea Loss

Everton rued hugely-frustrating fortunes at both ends of the pitch as their bid for a third successive away win fell short in a 2-0 loss to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Despite a bright start, David Moyes’ men were dealt a blow when the in-form Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall was forced off on 13 minutes with a leg injury – before Cole Palmer opened the scoring with his side’s first attack of the match eight minutes later.

The Blues picked themselves up and created a flurry of chances to level – James Tarkowski nodding wide, and Robert Sanchez making two crucial saves to deny Thierno Barry and Jack Grealish.

That proved costly as Chelsea doubled their advantage in first-half added time, Pedro Neto easing down the right to cut back for Malo Gusto to net from close range.

Even then, Everton could have come away from west London was some reward as more opportunities came and went in the second half – Grealish twice going close to hitting the back of the net with a header and first-time volley, with Iliman Ndiaye hitting the post with four minutes to go.

The only comfort for a harsh defeat was the approval late on from another sold-out away end as Evertonians made it clear they knew their team had warranted more.

Having completed his three-match suspension following his dismissal in last month's 1-0 win at Manchester United, Idrissa Gana Gueye came straight back into the team for his 200th Premier League start for Everton.

He partnered James Garner as the Toffees' defensive midfielders, with Dewsbury-Hall – returning to Stamford Bridge for the first time since moving to Merseyside in the summer – advancing back to the No.10 role as Charly Alcaraz dropped to the bench.

Chasing their third straight win on the road – and fifth in six matches overall – the Blues looked full of confidence in the opening stages, controlling the tempo and Ndiaye posing a threat every time he carried the ball.

But they were dealt a blow on 13 minutes when Dewsbury-Hall – so integral to the recent form – hobbled off to be replaced by Alcaraz.

Everton’s spirit has been strong under Moyes, though, and they were the first to threaten after the setback, Grealish’s deep cross being played across the six-yard box by Tarkowski to narrowly elude Barry from applying the finish.

Moments later, Ndiaye cut inside from the right and hit a low drive that was held by Sanchez. But having been the brighter side, the Blues fell behind on 21 minutes to Chelsea’s first attack of the match.

Reece James passed forward to Gusto who threaded a through ball into the path of Palmer to slot past his England teammate Pickford.

It so nearly got worse for Everton shortly after the restart, too, Alcaraz’s attempted pass back to Pickford going straight to Garnacho who, thankfully, placed his finish narrowly wide of the right-hand post.

The Toffees composed themselves and clawed their way back into the contest as the half drew on, going close again on 37 minutes when Garner’s long free-kick from the right was met by an onside Tarkowski, who nodded wide.

The next chance was even closer, a slick move down the right enabling Gana to drill across goal but, with Barry about to tap home, Sanchez got a crucial touch to divert the ball away from the French striker.

And there was more joy down that side three minutes before the break, O’Brien the one in acres of space this time, only for the defender to put his dinked cross behind for a goal-kick with Barry and Grealish waiting.

That wasn’t it, either, Grealish gliding into the penalty area and seeing his 10-yard finish blocked by Sanchez.

Having piled on the pressure once more, however, Everton somehow found themselves 2-0 down in a half where they had been the better team. Neto sprinted down the right touchline, cut inside and passed back across goal to Gusto, whose first-time finish beat Pickford at the near post.

Despite giving themselves a big mountain to climb, Everton knew a goal they had been threatening would put them back in contention.

But it was Chelsea who went closest again after the interval when Garnacho worked an opening down the left channel, only to sky his shot as he moved into the area.

The Blues then had three chances in a five-minute spell midway through the half. First, Grealish was denied by Sanchez again when his header was tipped over the bar.

Alcaraz then saw his cutback across the box blocked with Grealish in space and desperate to be picked out.

He was by the Argentine seconds later as Grealish met Alcaraz’s cross at the far post, only to volley wide with Sanchez stranded.

And Everton's day was summed up with four minutes remaining when Ndiaye jinked right to beat Wesley Fofana and curled a finish that beat Sanchez – only to bounce back off the post.

More frustration was to come, too, when Ndiaye played in Mykolenko who cut back to Alcaraz – only for Trevoh Chalobah to make a crucial block to keep out the midfielder's goalbound strike.

It may have been a defeat but the travelling Evertonians were in fine voice as the full-time whistle approached to let them team know they had put in a display that deserved more.