Everton dismantled a "freefalling" Chelsea 3-0. In what was arguably the finest night in the eight-month history of the Hill Dickinson Stadium, David Moyes’s side channeled local indignation over recent Premier League sanctions into a dominant display that leaves Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior in a world of tactical and administrative trouble.
The victory, powered by a Beto brace and a "peach" of a finish from Iliman Ndiaye, marked Everton’s largest win over the London club since 1987. While the home support spent the evening questioning the integrity of the league following Chelsea’s "lenient" £10.75m fine for past financial deceptions, the players focused on a different kind of justice: leapfrogging the giants on the pitch.
The tone was set early by James Garner, who celebrated his first senior England call-up with a "head and shoulders" performance in midfield.
24th minute: Garner threaded a pinpoint pass through the heart of the Chelsea defense. Beto ghosted behind Wesley Fofana and dinked a delicate finish over Robert Sánchez.
Second half: Idrissa Gueye outmuscled Marc Cucurella to surge 40 yards, feeding Beto, whose powerful strike squirmed through Sánchez’s fingers to make it 2-0.
Clincher: The stadium erupted when Iliman Ndiaye twisted Moisés Caicedo "inside and out" before lashing an unstoppable strike into the top corner.
While Everton look like a cohesive unit destined for Europe, Chelsea appear to be a collection of expensive parts with "no identity." Vice-captain Enzo Fernandez sparked controversy post-match, admitting the squad has lost its "structure and direction" since Enzo Maresca’s January departure.
I don’t want to make excuses, that was not good enough. The performance was nowhere near what we wanted or expected. Having the international break has probably come at a perfect time for us to gather and restock.
Liam Rosenior, Chelsea Head Coach
Liam Rosenior’s tenure has been defined by extreme rotation; Chelsea have made a league-high 99 changes to their starting XI this season. This lack of consistency was evident as Robert Sanchez gifted possession to the hosts multiple times, and the attack went goalless for a third consecutive match despite 52 shots across those fixtures.
The atmosphere inside the stadium was fueled by anger toward the Premier League’s recent disciplinary rulings. Having seen Everton hit with major points deductions in 2024, the fans were incensed by the relatively small fine handed to Chelsea for "deception and concealment" involving £47.5m in illicit payments under previous ownership.
Banners and chants questioning the league's integrity provided a "loud and edgy" backdrop, one that David Moyes’s players fed off throughout the 90 minutes.
Pickford’s century: Jordan Pickford secured the 100th clean sheet of his Everton career with two world-class saves from Enzo Fernández.
Home comforts: This was Everton’s first set of back-to-back league wins at their new stadium.
Chelsea slump: The Blues have now been outrun by every opponent in every Premier League match this season.
Fan revolt: Chelsea supporters were seen singing anti-ownership songs before staging an early exit, with a march on Stamford Bridge planned for April 18.
As the league enters the international break, the race for the Champions League has tightened significantly. Chelsea sit just one point ahead of Liverpool, but Everton are now only two points behind the Blues. On current form, the momentum sits firmly with the blue half of Merseyside.
