By Michael Nsikan Richard – 13th December, 2025
Date: 13th December, 2025
Venue & Attendance: Stamford Bridge; 39,552
Final Score: Chelsea 2-0 Everton
Match Overview
Chelsea returned to winning ways with a crucial 2-0 victory over Everton at Stamford Bridge, ending a 4-game winless streak across all competitions.
First-half goals from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto secured the 3 points for Enzo Maresca’s side, lifting them back into the Premier League’s top 4 with 28 points.
Match Key Moments
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall was unfortunately moved off with a suspected hamstring injury just 15 minutes into the match, with Carlos Alcaraz substituting him as a replacement.
The former Chelsea midfielder’s early withdrawal proved a setback and a significant blow to Everton’s game rhythm.
The breakthrough for Chelsea came in the 21st minute when Malo Gusto delivered an incisive pass that split Everton’s defense wide open, which Palmer got onto and fired powerfully past Jordan Pickford at his near post to give Chelsea the lead. This was Palmer’s first goal at Stamford Bridge since May 2025 and his first Premier League goal since September.
Just before halftime, precisely around the 45th minute mark, Pedro Neto drove past the Everton defense and pulled the ball back from the byline. Gusto arrived at speed in the penalty area and knocked it past Pickford to double Chelsea’s advantage at the perfect time.
Everton created several threatening moments.
Before Chelsea’s second goal, Idrissa Gueye got in behind Marc Cucurella down the right, but his low cross flashed across the six-yard box without a finishing touch.
James Tarkowski headed wide at the back post from a deep James Garner cross, while Jack Grealish was denied by Robert Sanchez from a tight angle.
Late in the match, Iliman Ndiaye hit the post after a mazy run, coming agonizingly close to pulling one back for the visitors. Jack Grealish also squandered a glorious chance at the back post, diverting Carlos Alcaraz’s delightful cross well off target.
Match Statistics
- Possession: Chel 58 – 42 Eve
- Shot Attempts: Chel 17 – 11 Eve
- Shots on Target: Chelsea 5 – 2 Eve
- Corners: Chel 4-7 Eve
- Fouls Committed: Chel 13 – 11 Eve Man of the Match – Cole Palmer
Palmer showed his immense importance to Chelsea on his first Stamford Bridge start in almost 4 months. Managing a groin injury that
has disrupted his season; Palmer was taken off just before the hour mark with his job done, as Maresca managed his playing time ahead of a busy festive period.
Implications & What’s Next
The victory moved Chelsea into 4th place with 28 points, four points clear of Everton, who dropped to 8th place with 24 points. Chelsea are now back in the race for Champions League qualification after their recent unsteadiness.
The match showed Chelsea’s ability to capitalize on key moments while highlighting Everton’s ongoing struggles to break down top opposition away from home—a theme that has plagued their visits to Stamford Bridge for 3 decades, according to ESPN.
Chelsea will travel to face Cardiff City in the EFL Cup quarterfinal on Tuesday before a challenging Premier League fixture at Newcastle United on December 20, followed by Aston Villa seven days later.
Everton are set to host Arsenal on Saturday in what will be another difficult test, before travelling to Turf Moor on December 27 to take on Burnley..
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