Neto’s brace gives Chelsea victory at Everton

Two second-half goals by Pedro Neto secured victory for Chelsea, who kept a first clean sheet in nine months. 

Neto’s double made it back-to-back wins for the Blues, who played much of the second half with stand-in keeper Mike Penders in goal after Emiliano Martinez was stretchered off with a serious-looking head injury following a 75th-minute collision with Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite

Just as they did in last weekend’s 5-1 thrashing of Bournemouth, Chelsea scored in the first minute of the second half.

Jorrel Hato crossed, and Neto squeezed the ball past England keeper Jordan Pickford, who should have done better.

The goal came after a first half in which Chelsea almost went ahead when Moises Caicedo volleyed Jordan Henderson’s corner against the bar, and when Maxence Lacroix’s header just before the interval was cleared off the line by Harrison Armstrong.

Chelsea were arguably fortunate to get to that interval with 11 men, as Morgan Rogers should arguably have been red-carded for a challenge on James Garner late in the half.

Everton, previously unbeaten this season, pushed hard for an equaliser after Neto’s opener but the visitors stood firm.

And Neto sealed the points by firing home the loose ball after Henderson’s free-kick had been blocked.

Chelsea: Martinez (Penders 75); Acheampong, Lacroix, Colwill, Hato (Palestra 92); Caicedo (Lavia 92), Henderson; Neto (Quenda 102), Palmer, Rogers; João Pedro (Welbeck 92).
Subs not used: Estêvão, Barco, Fofana, Nicoll-Jazuli.