Pedro Neto scores twice as Chelsea end Everton's unbeaten run

Chelsea beat Everton away on Saturday, with Pedro Neto scoring in the 46th minute and again in the 90th to secure the win and a first clean sheet of the season. The result ended Everton's unbeaten run. Here is the full player ratings breakdown for both sides.

  • Result: Chelsea won away at Everton, ending the Toffees' unbeaten run
  • Neto's goals: 43 seconds after the restart, and in the 90th minute
  • Clean sheet: Chelsea's first of the season
  • Top rating: Pedro Neto (Chelsea) — 8
  • Lowest rating: Christian Norgaard (Everton) — 4
  • Venue: Hill Dickinson Stadium

Confirmed line-ups

Everton

Starting XI: Jordan Pickford; Ainsley Maitland-Niles, James Tarkowski, Jarrad Branthwaite, Vitali Mykolenko; James Garner, Harrison Armstrong, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Merlin Rohl, Jack Grealish; Thierno Barry

Substitutes: Christian Norgaard (on 85, Armstrong), Brennan Johnson (on 85, Grealish), Tyrique George (on 85, Maitland-Niles). Subs not used: Travers, O'Brien, Dibling, Hackney, Alcaraz, Graham

Chelsea

Starting XI: Emiliano Martinez; Josh Acheampong, Maxence Lacroix, Levi Colwill, Jorrel Hato; Jordan Henderson, Moises Caicedo, Morgan Rogers, Cole Palmer, Pedro Neto; Joao Pedro

Substitutes: Mike Penders (on 74, Martinez), Marco Palestra (on 90+1, Hato), Danny Welbeck (on 90+1, Joao Pedro), Romeo Lavia (on 90+1, Caicedo), Geovany Quenda (on 90+11, Neto). Subs not used: Fofana, Barco, Nicoll-Jazuli, Estevao

Selection notes

Jorrel Hato was Chelsea's only change from last week's win and provided the assist for Neto's first goal. Merlin Rohl was introduced as a surprise starter for Everton and registered the home side's first shot. Christian Norgaard made his Premier League debut for Everton after coming on in the 85th minute.

The numbers

  • Neto's opener: 43 seconds after the restart
  • Neto's second: 90th minute
  • Neto rating: 8 — the highest of any player on the pitch
  • Lacroix and Henderson and Caicedo and Rogers and Hato and Armstrong and Rohl: all rated 7
  • Norgaard: 4 — the lowest rating in the match
  • Joao Pedro and Thierno Barry and Pickford and Maitland-Niles: all rated 5

Injury and availability

Emiliano Martinez was carried off on a stretcher after a collision with Jarrad Branthwaite in worrying scenes. He had earlier been fortunate not to be punished after taking too long over a goal-kick and conceding a corner. Mike Penders replaced him on 74 minutes for his Premier League debut.

Why Neto was Chelsea's match-winner at Everton

Pedro Neto was involved in much of Chelsea's attacking play and took both goals well. His first came 43 seconds after the restart, having threatened shortly before half-time with a long-range effort. His second arrived in the 90th minute after a blocked free-kick landed at his feet inside the box. The only blemish was a needless booking for dissent — but an 8 rating reflects a decisive afternoon.

The supporting structure worked. Jorrel Hato assisted the opener and was composed in possession. Maxence Lacroix produced one of his best performances since joining Chelsea, seeing a header from a corner cleared off the line and defending impressively throughout. Moises Caicedo relished the physical battle and came close to scoring with a superb first-time volley that struck the crossbar just before half-time. Jordan Henderson was influential throughout, contributing in all areas of the pitch with strong set-piece delivery.

For Everton, Harrison Armstrong raised the volume inside the stadium with a robust challenge that appeared to earn a harsh booking in the first half, and later cleared an effort off the line. Merlin Rohl defended diligently and produced an excellent block to deny Rogers in the second half. But Thierno Barry will feel he should have done better with a first-half header and later struck another effort straight at the goalkeeper during a frustrating afternoon.

Talking points

  • Was Cole Palmer's 6 rating fair? He looked dangerous whenever he got on the ball and tested the goalkeeper early on, but the ratings judged his display quiet by his standards.
  • Joao Pedro's 5 reflects a rare subdued performance — he had enjoyed an excellent run of form coming into the match but squandered a good chance to seal victory in the 86th minute.
  • Christian Norgaard's 4 on his Everton Premier League debut: he looked rusty, immediately gave the ball away to give a chance to Chelsea, and was later booked for a needless foul on Palmer.
  • Should Jordan Pickford have kept out Neto's opener? The England goalkeeper may be disappointed, though he later made several important saves.

What happens next

Chelsea will look to build on their first clean sheet of the season and Neto's two-goal display, while Everton must respond after their unbeaten run was ended. The immediate concern for Chelsea is the fitness of Emiliano Martinez, carried off on a stretcher, with Mike Penders now having made his Premier League debut in his place.

Frequently asked questions

Who was Chelsea's best player against Everton?

Pedro Neto was rated 8, the highest of any player, after scoring in the 46th and 90th minutes.

Who was Everton's lowest-rated player against Chelsea?

Christian Norgaard was rated 4 after coming on in the 85th minute for his Premier League debut, giving the ball away immediately and later being booked.

Why was Emiliano Martinez substituted against Everton?

He was carried off on a stretcher after a collision with Jarrad Branthwaite, with Mike Penders coming on in the 74th minute.

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