Chelsea returned from the international break with a commanding performance that bodes well for Xabi Alonso. Pedro Neto scored a brace, leading Chelsea to a 2-0 victory over Everton, marking the hosts' first defeat of the season and helping Chelsea climb to fourth place with their first Premier League clean sheet since January.

The match was overshadowed by a serious head injury to Emi Martínez, who was carried off on a stretcher after receiving extensive treatment just seven minutes into the game. Despite this concern, Chelsea displayed maturity and control against a struggling Everton side.

Key moments from the match included:

• Jordan Pickford’s continued struggles in goal for Everton, which contributed to their defeat.
• A tense first half where Everton edged possession but failed to capitalize on key opportunities, including a missed header from Thierno Barry.
• Neto’s breakthrough goal just after the second half began, exploiting defensive lapses from Everton.

Everton's grievances escalated in the first half, particularly regarding referee Paul Tierney’s decisions, as they felt they should have been awarded a penalty after Morgan Rogers’ reckless challenge.

The situation worsened for Everton when Martínez collided with Jarrad Branthwaite during a free-kick, leading to his substitution by Mike Penders, who made his Premier League debut.

Chelsea sealed the victory in the final minute when Henderson’s free-kick led to a chaotic sequence resulting in Neto finding the net again, finishing past a despairing Pickford. The result highlighted Chelsea's resilience while raising concerns for Everton as they look to recover from this setback.