Everton's three-man defence returns as winless streak at Chelsea continues

Published on: 28 August 2017

Chelsea had Everton absolutely locked down at Stamford Bridge as Alvaro Morata set up one and scored the other. Chelsea had Everton absolutely locked down at Stamford Bridge as Alvaro Morata set up one and scored the other. Everton's loss at Chelsea is not bothering Ronald Koeman, who is pleased with his club's results during a busy week.

Everton remain winless at Stamford Bridge since 1994 and the familiarity of Sunday's 2-0 defeat to Chelsea suggests caution is still too prevalent in these away games against the top teams.

A run of 23 years without a win in this fixture means losing is somewhat easier to deal with, though that does not make it any less painful. What was more disappointing was the lack of ambition or evidence of a new approach. This was merely the same setup yielding the same problems as when the teams met on this ground last season.

Even accounting for a third match in six days and a squad without eight first-team players, this mirrored the one-sided nature of the 5-0 defeat encountered in the corresponding defeat in November.

Replicating their toothless display on that day, Everton again summoned scant attacking threat, touched the ball only seven times in the Chelsea penalty area and failed to register a single shot on target.

Positives

Similar to Tom Davies when the teams met on this ground last season, another young Everton player showed the enterprise and endeavour lacking among his teammates. What little threat the visitors carried arrived in the 28 minutes Dominic Calvert-Lewin was on the pitch.

An eventual switch to a back four, the use of Calvert-Lewin in attack and some belated promise pointed the way forward for this team when league action resumes after the international break.

Negatives

This match saw the flawed three-man defence resurface. In a formation that demands pace, mobility and composure in possession, especially in their own half, this squad falls short on each aspect.

Aside from Ashley Williams, it is difficult to identify a single player that benefits from this setup. Defensive players see too much of the ball while attacking players do not see it enough. The three Everton players attempting the most passes in this match were the three centre-backs.

Manager rating out of 10 

5 -- Absentees restricted his options but Ronald Koeman again failed to muster a viable performance in this fixture. The aggregate score against Antonio Conte's team since the start of last season is 10-0 in Chelsea's favour.

Chelsea Everton 2 0 FT Game Details Live football odds with bet365. Bet Now » Highlights GameCast Lineups and Stats

Player ratings (1-10; 10=best. Players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)

GK Jordan Pickford, 6 -- Powerless to prevent the two goals but dealt with everything else directed at him, even if it mostly amounted to shots from distance straight at him.

DF Mason Holgate, 5 -- Poor in possession, aimlessly chipping the ball down the right flank on more than one occasion, this was one of those days when the young defender looked like a centre-back in an unfamiliar position.

DF Michael Keane, 5 -- Left sheepishly appealing for offside as Alvaro Morata rose unopposed to head home the second Chelsea goal and effectively end the match as a contest. Below the high standards set so far.

DF Ashley Williams, 5 -- Among those culpable for the Morata goal and miscommunication almost led to an embarrassing own goal on an afternoon when the centre-back threatened more in the opposing penalty area, twice firing narrowly off target.

DF Phil Jagielka, 5 -- Beaten too easily by Willian early on before redeeming himself with an important block against the same player later in the first half. Starting position in a three-man defence accentuates his limitations on and off the ball.

DF Leighton Baines, 5 -- Suffering as much through the problems created by the formation as his own failings, the 32-year-old struggled to make an impact and was close -- but not close -- enough to Cesc Fabregas for the first goal.

MF Idrissa Gueye, 5 -- A doubt before the match, it was to the collective relief of all concerned that the midfield schemer was fit enough to start. Yet this was not his best display, conceding possession in the build-up to the second goal.

MF Tom Davies, 5 -- At ease higher up the pitch or with the freedom to push forward, this 45-minute outing in a withdrawn midfield role highlighted a player lost in an unaccustomed position.

MF Wayne Rooney, 5 -- Wilfully stuck to his task but the limitations placed on his influence by the formation meant Rooney barely rose above anonymous. Deft pass to Sandro in the second half was the first meaningful sight of goal for the visitors.

MF Gylfi Sigurdsson, 5 -- Another attack-minded player forced toward his own goal for much of the match, although more involved once Everton reverted to a back four and an excellent cross created a headed opportunity for Williams in the closing minutes.

FW Sandro Ramirez, 5 -- Given an impossible task on his return from injury, there was plenty of industry, but a lack of service and support from his teammates meant it was mostly futile.

Leighton Baines was unable to prevent Cesc Fabregas from scoring.

Substitutes

MF Muhamed Besic, 6 -- The midfielder deserves tremendous credit for putting himself forward for selection given that his father had been shot and was in hospital in Bosnia prior to the match. The 24-year-old helped toughen up a lightweight midfield in the second half.

FW Dominic Calvert-Lewin, 7 -- Pushed out wide in midweek, the young forward again showed why a central striking role is his best position. Demonstrated some much-needed aggression and provided a previously absent focal point in the final third.

MF Aaron Lennon, N/R -- Added some pace and energy amid forlorn attempts at a comeback in the final 10 minutes.

Luke is ESPN FC's Everton blogger. Follow Luke on Twitter @lukeofarrell.

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Source: espn.co.uk

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