Chelsea produced perhaps their most convincing performance of the season as they thrashed Everton 6-0 in the Premier League on Monday night.
Star man Cole Palmer continued his stunning breakout campaign with four goals at Stamford Bridge.
Nicolas Jackson and Alfie Gilchrist also got themselves on the scoresheet during a miserable evening for the Toffees.
CHELSEA (4-2-3-1)
Djordje Petrovic – 6.5
Hardly had anything to do in Chelsea’s goal as Everton were weak in the extreme. Could simply sit back, chill and enjoy the Cole Palmer show.
Malo Gusto – 7
One of those who contributed to a shaky start, but then Palmer’s early strike settled the team’s nerves as Chelsea took complete control of this ‘contest’.
Trevoh Chalobah – 7
Glad to see the assistant’s flag correctly disallow Beto’s header for offside when Chelsea were leading 3-0 and overall showed a dominant streak in defence.
Thiago Silva – 7.5
Still going strong at 39, getting his head to crosses from Everton and dealing with the physical challenge of Beto. ‘Oh Thiago Silva,’ sang the supporters, rightly.
Marc Cucurella – 7
Got down the left-hand side tirelessly as his cross found Jackson for Chelsea to make it 4-0 before the break and was hardly troubled defensively.
Moises Caicedo – 8
One of those games where every player for Chelsea performed to the standard expected of him. Interesting to see how he benefitted from having Gallagher alongside him.
Conor Gallagher – 8
Partnered Caicedo in midfield in the absence of Enzo Fernandez and Everton could not live with Chelsea’s overall set-up, with yet another tireless performance from the captain.
Noni Madueke – 7.5
Good trickery down the right against Mykolenko. Slightly naughty of him getting involved in a few shoves with Palmer and Jackson when he wanted to take the penalty.
Cole Palmer – 9.5
Left foot. Right foot. Header. The perfect hat-trick, all scored within 28 minutes. Added his fourth to make it 5-0 by pulling rank when Chelsea were awarded their penalty.
Mykhailo Mudryk – 7
Used his speed in the build-up to Chelsea’s second goal to get the ball into the box and he is clearly growing in confidence with each start.
Nicolas Jackson – 8.5
Deserved a goal for himself and got it with a lovely take, turn and finish to secure it. But involved in some negative scenes when it came to who takes the penalty.
SUBS
Carney Chukwuemeka (for Madueke, 72) – 6
Ben Chilwell (for Mudryk, 80) – N/A
Casare Casadei (for Palmer, 80) – N/A
Deivid Washington (for Jackson, 88) – N/A
Alfie Gilchrist (for Gusto, 88) – N/A
SUBS NOT USED
Marcus Bettinelli
Benoit Badiashile
Tyrique George
Kiano Dyer
MANAGER
Mauricio Pochettino – 8.5
A perfect performance from his team – one in which they avoided any temptations to indulge in self-sabotage – but needs to name his designated penalty taker.