Premier league: Chelsea’s problems are compounded by Everton’s success

With a 2-0 victory over Chelsea on Sunday, Everton moved four points clear of the relegation zone, demonstrating their continued ability to shrug off the effects of a 10-point Premier League deduction.

Abdoulaye Doucoure gave Chelsea the lead, but Lewis Dobbin’s debut goal for Everton dealt Mauricio Pochettino yet another crushing setback.

Everton is appealing the financial rule punishment, which would have put Sean Dyche’s team four points above Chelsea in the mid-table.

Following a terrible showing in a 2-1 loss to Manchester United in the middle of the week, Pochettino reorganised his squad.

The Argentine is having trouble finding a solution for his team’s upfront lack of clinical edge, even though the club has invested £1 billion ($1.3 billion) in new players over the last three transfer windows.

Pochettino made four changes, bringing in captain Reece James, Benoit Badiashile, Armando Broja, and Conor Gallagher, who was returning for Chelsea after serving his suspension.

However, James’ injury-plagued campaign continues, as he was substituted halfway through the first half.

Chelsea dominated the first half, but their recurring lack of punch up front proved to be their downfall.

Enzo Fernandez gave Jordan Pickford a test with a shot from outside the area, and then the England captain made an incredible save to keep Cole Palmer from scoring a sensational long-range goal.

Pochettino still needed a clinical finisher, and Broja was giving Chelsea much more than Nicolas Jackson as a target.

After Mykhailo Mudryk’s tease of a cross late in the first half, the Albanian poked his best chance wide.

Everton Discovers His Beat

Although it took them some time to get used to their new role, Everton easily defeated Newcastle 3-0 on Thursday to escape the relegation zone.

The home team did not have a chance on goal until after the break when Robert Sanchez deflected Dwight McNeil’s excellent drive from the edge of the box.

Chelsea was sliced open by Everton’s subsequent attack because they disregarded that warning.

When Sanchez stopped Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s attempt after McNeil’s superbly timed pass in behind, Doucoure was there to score the rebound.

The Mali international’s goal on the last day of the previous campaign kept Everton in the English Premier League, and his six goals so far this year are helping to extend their 70-year tenure.

To salvage a point, Pochettino looked to Jackson and Raheem Sterling off the bench.

But Everton held on easily, and in stoppage time, they extended their lead.

Wild scenes of excitement broke out after Chelsea replacement goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic fumbled at a corner and Dobbin hammered home.

Everton’s incredible week, which saw them almost completely erase the worst sporting sanction in Premier League history, culminated in their third victory in eight days.

Chelsea drops into the bottom half of the table, behind west London rivals Fulham, following their seventh loss in Pochettino’s 16 league games in charge.

In an attempt to develop a variety of pricey young talent, the former Tottenham manager has begged for patience.

Pochettino is under pressure to find a speedy solution to his team’s issues because Chelsea managers often do not have much time to turn things around.

AFP