Everton vs Chelsea

The Couch predicted a 2–2 lunchtime stalemate — Everton holding firm, the Hill Dickinson Stadium rocking, Chelsea making hard work of it. Pedro Neto had alternative plans. In what proved to be the defining lunchtime fixture of Matchweek 7, Enzo Maresca's side arrived on Merseyside, absorbed Everton's first-half pressure, and then took the game apart with two moments of individual quality.

The first goal came just after half-time. Neto — drifting in from the left, finding pockets of space between Everton's defensive lines — struck at 46' to break the deadlock. David Moyes had set his side up to be compact, to be difficult, to frustrate Chelsea into mistakes. Neto did not make mistakes. He found the finish and Chelsea had the lead.

The second goal came in the 90th minute and ended any doubt. Neto again — this time sealing the points and ending any possibility of an Everton fightback. It was the kind of goal that wins away matches and the kind of confidence that separates title-challengers from contenders. Chelsea do not need to be at home to be dangerous. That is the key lesson of the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Everton worked hard and deserved more from the first half. Moyes's side had made Hill Dickinson Stadium difficult for everyone this season. That unbeaten home record ends here — and it ends against quality that could not be matched. Chelsea: 16 points. Fourth. In the conversation.