EPL: Resurgent Everton Beats Chelsea 

Everton put a dent on Chelsea’s hopes of a European place in the Premier League standings Sunday evening with a 2-0 win over the Blues at the Goodison Park.

Abdoulaye Doucoure and substitute Lewis Dobbin both fired the home side to their three consecutive Premier League victory for the first time since 2021.

Everton which were docked 10 points for financial reasons has thus moved four points clear of the relegation zone.

It was a close and high octane first half with Jordan Pickford making decent saves to deny Enzo Fernandez’s rasping shot and Cole Palmer’s dipping drive from range.

Jack Harrison’s acrobatic half volley flew narrowly wide and it was Everton’s most presentable opportunity in the opening period.

Dwight McNeil forced visiting goalkeeper Robert Sanchez into an excellent stop at the start of the second half but the keeper was taken off as he copped an injury trying to save that effort.

The loss is Chelsea’s seventh in the league under Mauricio Pochettino this season, dropping them one place to 11th, as they were leapfrogged by neighbours Fulham after the Cottagers’ 5-0 thrashing of West Ham.

The in-form Toffees had beaten Newcastle United 3-0 midweek as they continue to weather the recent off-the-field storm.