Everton claimed three consecutive Premier League victories for the first time since 2021 as they saw off Chelsea at Goodison Park.
Abdoulaye Doucoure and substitute Lewis Dobbin both netted first-time goals in the second half, propelling Sean Dyche’s team four points clear of the relegation zone.
The initial period was closely contested, with Jordan Pickford making crucial saves to thwart Enzo Fernandez’s powerful shot and Cole Palmer’s long-range dipping effort.
Everton’s best chance came from Jack Harrison’s acrobatic volley, narrowly missing the target, while Dwight McNeil forced a remarkable save from visiting goalkeeper Robert Sanchez early in the second half.
Chelsea struggled to break through in the attacking third, and their defensive lapses were exploited on the counter as Doucoure and Dobbin found the net in stoppage time, securing another victory for the in-form Toffees.
This defeat marks Chelsea’s seventh in the league under Mauricio Pochettino this season, causing them to slip to 11th place. They were overtaken by Fulham, who secured a convincing win against West Ham.
Dyche stamping his mark
Everton has rebounded impressively since their 10-point deduction, effortlessly overcoming the sanction with nine victories in their last 13 games.
Sunday’s triumph marked a historic achievement, as they secured three consecutive top-flight wins under Dyche for the first time—a feat last accomplished during the Covid-affected 2020-21 season under Carlo Ancelotti.
The noticeable improvement since Dyche took charge at the beginning of the year is evident in a resilient team that has become challenging to defeat, reminiscent of his successful tenure at Burnley.
If not for the penalty imposed for violating financial rules, Everton would currently hold the 10th position, four points ahead of Chelsea.
While the hosts occasionally relied on good fortune, they also benefited from crucial saves by Pickford in the presence of England manager Gareth Southgate. The Three Lions’ goalkeeper secured his third consecutive clean sheet.
In the initial half, Everton did not challenge Sanchez, yet effectively held off Chelsea. They justified their victory with Doucoure’s calmly executed goal in the 54th minute and Dobbin’s powerful finish during stoppage time.
However, the demanding December schedule appears to be impacting the team, as Ashley Young had to leave the field due to injury, and the impressive Jarrad Branthwaite played through the match while nursing a knee knock.