Neto double gives Chelsea victory over Everton and long-awaited clean sheet

Chelsea beat Everton 2-0 at Goodison Park to move up to fourth in the Premier League, with Pedro Neto scoring both goals and his side keeping their first league clean sheet since January.

The result took Chelsea to 13 points from seven matches, leaving them five points behind leaders Manchester City. Everton remain sixth on 10 points after suffering their first defeat in the match.

Neto had never previously scored twice in a single Premier League game. His double also ended Chelsea’s run of 22 consecutive league matches without a clean sheet.

Xabi Alonso had said after Chelsea’s previous match that a victory accompanied by a clean sheet was close. His prediction was fulfilled in the next game.

Chelsea began with an attacking trio of Joao Pedro, Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers, while Everton looked to apply pressure early on.

The opening half featured an even contest, with both teams competing for control but struggling to create clear chances. The best opportunity came in the 40th minute, when Moises Caicedo struck a powerful effort that hit the crossbar.

Chelsea moved ahead just a minute after the restart. Jarell Hato drove forward before sending the ball into the Everton penalty area, where Neto finished to put the visitors in front.

Everton were unable to find an equaliser, and Chelsea were forced into a change in goal in the 68th minute. Emiliano Martinez sustained a serious head injury following a collision with Everton player Braithwaite and was replaced by Mike Penders.

Neto then completed his double to settle the match. Henderson’s free-kick struck the Everton wall, and Neto reacted quickest to the rebound to score Chelsea’s second.

The clean sheet was Chelsea’s first in the Premier League since January, bringing an end to a sequence in which they had conceded in 22 consecutive matches.

Chelsea’s next fixture is against Tottenham on Saturday 24 October at Stamford Bridge.