Neto double lifts Chelsea to victory as Everton suffer first defeat

Chelsea ended Everton’s unbeaten start to the Premier League season with a 2-0 win at Hill Dickinson Stadium, as Pedro Neto scored twice to move the visitors up to fourth in the table.

Everton had been aiming to make it seven league matches without defeat, but Chelsea prevailed in a closely fought contest in which Emiliano Martinez was also forced to leave the field with an injury.

The opening stages were scrappy, with neither side able to create a clear opportunity. Everton gradually began to take control, and the intensity increased after Harrison Armstrong committed to a strong challenge on Josh Acheampong.

Thierno Barry twice found promising positions following good work from Jack Grealish and Vitalii Mykolenko, although both of his attempts were comfortably handled by Martinez. Grealish came closer when his powerful shot bounced awkwardly in front of the Chelsea goalkeeper, who reacted quickly to tip it over the crossbar.

Tempers then flared after James Tarkowski caught Moises Caicedo off the ball, prompting an angry confrontation involving Morgan Rogers and Jordan Henderson.

Chelsea ended the first half with greater attacking threat. Caicedo struck the crossbar with an excellent volley before Jordan Pickford made a fine save to turn Neto’s effort over.

The visitors continued in the same fashion after the interval and took the lead almost immediately. Rogers and Jorrel Hato worked the ball down the left, with Hato then finding Neto inside the area. The Portuguese forward’s close-range finish went underneath Pickford.

Chelsea started to exploit the extra space in Everton’s defence, although Cole Palmer was narrowly off target when he attempted to chip Pickford and extend the advantage.

Martinez was then taken off on a stretcher after a heavy collision with Jarrad Branthwaite during a set-piece. Mike Penders came on in his place and made his Premier League debut, becoming Chelsea’s youngest goalkeeper to play in the competition.

Everton tried to force their way back into the match, but Chelsea put the result beyond doubt through Neto’s second goal. Henderson’s free-kick became lodged in the defensive wall, allowing Neto to collect the ball before calmly finishing with his left foot.

The victory also gave Chelsea their first Premier League clean sheet in 23 matches. It ended a nine-month wait for a shut-out and brought to a close their longest run without one since 1961.

Chelsea’s win moved them into fourth place, while Everton dropped to sixth after suffering their first league defeat of the season.