Richardson’s goal in the 46th minute gave Everton a fourth consecutive Premier League victory over Chelsea at Goodison Park, in a game they had to win, given Burnley’s exciting rebirth under Mike Jackson. Jordan Pickford was unbeaten in Everton’s goal, repelling what Chelsea threw at him in the second half, while Gary Mina was in command at the heart of a defense that embodied resistance. Lampard’s new club live to fight another day. The Evertonians did everything they could to lift their team before the game. The Chelsea players were upset in the early hours of Sunday by a large and loud display of fireworks outside their hotel in the city center of Liverpool. When the Everton team’s bus headed for Goodison Road 90 minutes before the start, it was met by thousands of fans who had gathered with banners and blue flares to welcome Lampard’s players. The question was how would those who had the most influence in Everton’s position in the Premier League react? As it should be, it was the answer. Goodison was a beautiful bear-pit, begging her team to respond to any touch or negative decision from Chelsea with a chorus of disapproval. There were many of the first. Lampard set up his team to match Thomas Tuchel’s 3-4-3 formation, but knowing that visitors like Liverpool at Anfield last Sunday would dominate the possession. Chelsea had a 75% share in the first half. Giorgino and Ruben Loftus-Chick crossed the midfield regularly with ease and yet, despite the space and promising positions found by Mason Mount, Jordan Pickford was rarely used in Everton’s goal throughout the first half. Mount was curled up by 20 yards and Timo Werner was turned down by a good recovery challenge from Seamus Coleman after Loftus-Chick crossed the Everton line, but Chelsea’s threat was otherwise limited. Kay Haverts spent most of the first 45 minutes in an off-field bout with Gary Mina. The distractions served Everton’s purpose as Chelsea began to lose their temper. Anthony Gordon pulled the crowd to tear the visitors apart from the first whistle. Shot down in a dangerous area by Loftus-Chick, the 21-year-old committed the resulting foul on his own, but, after the outbreak, Everton did not seriously threaten again until the discovery. The intention was there from Gordon, Richarlison and Demarai Gray, but not the support of defensive teammates to annoy Thiago Silva or Antonio Rüdiger. Everton had to give something to claim the goal they desperately needed. It came in the form of a gift from César Azpilicueta and not a change of approach from Lampard. Everton’s Jordan Pickford blocks a short-range shot from Chelsea’s Antonio Rudiger in the second half at Goodison Park. Photo: Phil Noble / Reuters Everton’s moment came from a side by Alex Iwobi one minute after the restart. Richarlison won it under pressure from Rüdiger only for Chelsea to regain possession through Silva. The veteran squared his captain, who, seemingly ignoring Richardson’s tireless run, was too late to escape and hit the ball to the Brazilian. Everton suddenly found themselves two against one on the edge of Chelsea’s penalty area. Gray touched the rebound back to Richardson and, right there, slipped a shot past Edward Medy in the far corner. Goodison was upset and should have celebrated the luxury of a second goal a few minutes later. The opportunity came again from Iwobi throwing to the right. Gordon walked away from his marker and found Abdoulaye Doucouré invading the Chelsea area. The midfielder released Vitalii Mykolenko on the left and scored the first goal of the Ukrainian international’s career at Everton. Choose strength instead of mounting and shoot badly. The Fiver: sign up and receive our daily football email. Chelsea’s response was inevitable and Pickford did heroics to keep them away when he came. And with a bit of luck. The England goalkeeper was defeated by his international colleague Mount when No. 10 hit the inside of a crossbar and then the other with a half volley from Havertz knockout. The rebound fell attractively for Azpilicueta, but Pickford, having jumped and crossed the goal, managed to save the defender’s shot on the line. Mina clearly cleared and, from the corner that resulted, the ball fell to Rudiger’s feet on the back post. Pickford bravely repulsed at close range, injuring himself in the process. He also overturned Loftus-Cheek’s 25-yard lap and denied substitute Mateo Kovacic with a low rebound during the seven-minute delay that made Goodison stunned when it was announced. Gray could have calmed Everton’s nerves with five minutes left when he came on after good work from Doucouré and substitute Salomón Rondón, but he shot a little over. But Everton endured and fought.
