Everton delivered a dominant performance on Saturday, defeating Chelsea 3-0 to hand the London side another damaging setback in their bid for a Champions League spot.
Chelsea, still reeling from their heavy aggregate defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in midweek, have now suffered four straight losses, piling pressure on manager Liam Rosenior just weeks into his tenure.
Striker Beto was the standout performer, scoring twice to boost Everton’s push for a top-five finish. Iliman Ndiaye added a third goal to seal what was Everton’s most impressive win at their new home ground.
The result leaves Chelsea in sixth place, with Everton just two points behind in seventh, intensifying the race for European qualification.
Everton took the lead in the 33rd minute when James Garner delivered a superb pass that allowed Beto to beat goalkeeper Robert Sánchez. Chelsea nearly responded, but Jordan Pickford produced a brilliant save to deny Enzo Fernández.
Chelsea’s woes deepened after the break when Sánchez allowed Beto’s powerful shot to slip through his legs, doubling Everton’s lead. The hosts added a third when Ndiaye finished off a move initiated by Beto’s aerial strength.
Despite early struggles adapting to their new 53,000-capacity stadium, Everton have now secured back-to-back home league wins and are closing in on rivals Liverpool FC. Their next major test comes in a historic Merseyside derby at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on April 19.
With a challenging run of fixtures ahead, including clashes against Manchester City, Manchester United, and Liverpool, Chelsea’s hopes of securing Champions League football next season are rapidly slipping away.
