Pedro Neto double downs Everton as Morgan Rogers escapes red card in Chelsea win
Everton's unbeaten start to the Premier League season is over after Chelsea ran out 2-0 winners at Goodison Park, but the afternoon was dominated by a controversy involving the men in blue rather than the scoreline.
Morgan Rogers' eventful afternoon could have ended with a sending-off before half-time. The £117m summer signing was already on a yellow card for a tussle with James Tarkowski when he went in studs up in a 50-50 with James Garner, catching his opponent high up on his shin. It was a challenge neither referee Paul Tierney nor VAR felt warranted a second caution or even a straight red, much to Everton's frustration.
"It was a challenge neither referee Paul Tierney nor VAR felt warranted a second caution or even a straight red much to Everton's frustration," the match report noted, with Rogers' good fortune proving decisive for Xabi Alonso's side.
Rogers the villain, Neto the hero
The 24-year-old's driving run to the byline created the breakthrough for Pedro Neto just 44 seconds after half-time, and Rogers later tumbled in the penalty area after brushing up against Tarkowski, only enhancing his role as villain in the eyes of the home fans. When Neto slid home from Jordan Henderson's deflected free-kick for the first Premier League double of his career, the end of Everton's unbeaten start was confirmed even with 11 minutes of added time still remaining.
Chelsea's reputation as fast starters — they have a league-high six goals in the opening seven minutes this season — was enhanced as they struck inside the first four minutes of the second half. Jorrel Hato sent Rogers running down the left and when he cut back, Neto was left on his own in the penalty area by Vitalii Mykolenko and was able to take his time before picking his spot inside the post, the ball creeping under Pickford's arm.
After Christian Noorgard's delayed Everton debut began with him losing possession on halfway, Chelsea broke three against two, and although Pickford saved from Neto, the Portugal winger was not to be denied after reacting quickest to a loose ball.
Martinez injury hands Penders debut
It was not all good news for the visitors, however. Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez was carried off and taken to hospital after a clash of heads with Toffees centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite. Belgian 21-year-old Mike Penders came on for a 25-minute Premier League debut and had the honour of becoming Chelsea's youngest goalkeeper in the competition while also helping secure their first top-flight clean sheet in 23 matches.
Penders showed he was not lacking confidence after charging to the edge of his penalty area to punch away Garner's cross, and the 2-0 scoreline was harsh on the hosts, who were a match for their opponents.
A match for their opponents
Everton came to life midway through the first half when Harrison Armstrong was booked for a strong but fair-looking challenge on Josh Acheampong. Prior to that Cole Palmer and Henderson had both tested Pickford from distance, but the hosts created the better chances as Merlin Rohl's shot was saved by Martinez, who then conceded a corner for delaying the restart.
The goalkeeper was forced into a better stop to deny Thierno Barry, who had half an empty net to aim at but directed his header straight at the Argentinian, who also tipped over a Jack Grealish shot which bounced into the turf and looked like dropping under the crossbar. By then Rogers and Tarkowski had both been booked after the former responded to being barged to the floor off the ball by grabbing the Everton captain's shirt.
Moises Caicedo smashed a brilliantly controlled volley against the angle of post and crossbar from Henderson's deep corner before the flashpoint of the game. Rogers' lunging challenge on Garner left both writhing on the pitch but it was deemed not worthy of further action, with Pickford tipping over a Neto effort while Garner received treatment.
The result gives Alonso's Chelsea their first away win of the campaign and ends Everton's unbeaten start, with Neto's double the decisive contribution on a frenetic afternoon on Merseyside.