What do we do now? We’ve won. That’s not something we’re built to prepare for.
Do we watch Match of the Day? Is that what those ‘winning teams,’ or so they’re called, do?
Regardless, it was a terrific performance. The first half was shaky but resilient, and the Toffees grew from strength to strength in the second period.
Richarlison, Bernard and Dominic Calvert-Lewin led the line absolutely brilliantly, with the three looking as on-song as they have all season. DCL won everything he had to, Bernard was as much the explosive threat as ever, and Richarlison was always in dangerous positions, none more so than when he capitalised on an excellent header from Dom to score our first.
Our defenders, even with two changes amongst the four, were stalwart. Yerry Mina and Michael Keane never looked like conceding, and the two full-backs were constant threats in the second half.
A tremendous day, and a statement win for Mr Silva. Here are our Everton player ratings.
Jordan Pickford - 8
Many important saves along with a decent corralling of the shaky Everton defence in the first half get him on the road to redemption after the Newcastle calamity.
Seamus Coleman - 9 (Man of the Match)
Some dangerous runs down the right flank in the first half. He lost his man various times on the counter, but given that man was Eden Hazard, I’ll cut him a little slack in that regard.
However, he was the one who led by example when the players emerged for the second period.
He was all over the pitch at his old, terrifying rate to close down any man in yellow that would take him on. He pounded Marcos Alonso’s touchline alongside Richarlison, and the two have never looked better together.
Michael Keane - 7
A very important tackle on the aforementioned Eden Hazard surely prevented an early lead for Chelsea, and many key headers went Keane’s way against a dangerous Gonzalo Higuain.
He was vital in shepherding the game home, as he awakened the Burnley still left in him to smash the ball as far as he could once the clock passed 80:00.
Yerry Mina - 7
Still blessed with the curse of a Bambi-on-ice running style, Yerry never quite looks comfortable on the ball.
However, he managed some calm distribution and held strong for a large part of the game.
Lucas Digne - 8
Week after week, Lucas Digne provides the most danger from the backline going forward, resembling so strongly a 2011 Leighton Baines.
Lucas was explosive on the counter on the rare occasion Chelsea gave the ball away, and his combination with Bernard grows week to week.
Idrissa Gana Gueye - 7
Up against N’Golo Kante, all of Gueye’s inferior qualities glare through more than any other game. However, he defended with conviction, which is what his counterpart was lacking. The desire to secure a statement win for the Toffees was there.
He became more energetic as the game went on, and sped up when Chelsea were desperate to slow down.
Andre Gomes - 6
A sloppy game from Andre, who never had the time he wanted on the ball.
However, like the team as a whole, came out inspired from the dressing room, and was a key part in pressuring the opposition to lead to the first goal.
Gylfi Sigurdsson- 6
Gylfi doesn’t get into games off his own accord, and when brought into them by his quicker-thinking compatriots, cannot maintain race pace.
A better second half redeems what was a poor first 45.
Richarlison - 8
Richarlison, like Gylfi, is caught too often truant in the games where a £50 million man should be stepping up.
He showed that he can most definitely do it, as he bossed the second half down the side of Marcos Alonso.
A key first goal, and we never looked back.
Bernard - 8
Everton’s greatest attacking threat for weeks has been Bernard. He is coming into his own in the best way.
We will see the best of him with a more complete side, whether that be next season or thereafter. He is far too good to be as restricted as the surrounding personnel wish to make him, and he will show more of his recent form from here onwards.
If we play with more freedom, Bernard is all the better for it.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin - 9
Another excellent showing from Everton’s number nine.
He bossed a terrified Chelsea defence in the second period and made David Luiz incredibly uncomfortable. He once again showed his aptitude for killing a game dead in the latter period, making sure Chelsea were as pinned in their own corner as possible.
Substitutes
Morgan Schneiderlin – 7
Came on to calm the game down and that is exactly what he did.
Theo Walcott – 6
Provided another pacy threat against Chelsea’s tired back four, and was unlucky not to score.