Everton 3-0 Chelsea
by James Nalton 
at the Hill Dickinson Stadium

EVERTON moved within three points of the Premier League’s Champions League qualification places with a performance against Chelsea full of individual quality and teamwork, amid a cracking atmosphere at Bramley-Moore Dock.

Chelsea’s woes continued, and they were bettered across the park by the increasingly impressive individuals in Everton blue.

Everton boss David Moyes raves about James Garner at every opportunity, and thought he was the best player on the pitch on Saturday. 

It is clear he thinks his trusty midfielder, who has also done a job at right-back this season, is one of the best players in the league. He also thinks Garner’s involvement with the England setup this month could lead to further improvement.

Another player who could be pushing for player of the season accolades is winger Iliman Ndiaye.

A long-time Morning Star favourite, the Senegalese is one of the Premier League’s most entertaining players, and now one of its best.

Garner was instrumental in the Everton goal that opened the scoring, one that Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior said dented his side’s confidence when they were on top in the game.

Garner’s pass split the Chelsea defence, and Beto did the rest with a well-timed run and an even better finish, dinked over onrushing goalkeeper Robert Sanchez.

Everton seemed to be enjoying themselves, even out of possession. The crowd was buoyant too, with the last of the afternoon sunshine greeting kickoff, helping produce the best atmosphere Bramley Moore Dock has witnessed to date.

Beto’s second goal just after the hour mark ramped it up further, squeezing a powerful shot through Sanchez.

There has been trepidation when an Everton team has been leading in the past, but not here. Jordan Pickford made his now routine world-class saves to keep Chelsea at bay, but as Everton took a two-goal lead, they seemed, perhaps surprisingly to some, in control.

They got a deserved third when Ndiaye found the very top corner of the goal, and even then, it looked more likely there would be an Everton fourth rather than a Chelsea consolation.