Everton suffered their first Premier League defeat of the season as Pedro Neto scored twice to earn Chelsea a 2-0 victory at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
David Moyes’ side more than held their own during a fractious first half but were punished just 43 seconds after the restart when Neto opened the scoring. The Portuguese struck again in the 90th minute to settle the contest after Everton had struggled to respond.
Everton punished after the break
Everton’s best opportunity came when Jack Grealish picked out Thierno Barry from a quickly recycled corner, but the unmarked striker directed his close-range header straight at Emi Martinez.
Chelsea threatened before the interval, with Moises Caicedo hitting the crossbar and Harrison Armstrong clearing Maxence Lacroix’s header off the line.
Moyes may also feel Morgan Rogers was fortunate to remain on the pitch after the already-booked Chelsea forward caught James Garner in a challenge shortly before half-time.
The visitors needed less than a minute of the second half to make the breakthrough. Jorrel Hato reached the byline, and Neto swept his cross beyond Jordan Pickford.
Chelsea goalkeeper Martinez was later carried off on a stretcher following a collision with Jarrad Branthwaite, with Mike Penders replacing him for his Premier League debut.
Everton were unable to seriously test the substitute keeper, and Neto secured Chelsea’s victory in the final minute of normal time, collecting a loose ball following a free-kick before finding the bottom corner.
After an encouraging first half, Everton offered too little once they fell behind and now face another demanding assignment away at Arsenal.
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