
?Everton kicked off their new era under Duncan Ferguson with three points against Frank Lampard’s Chelsea, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring twice in their 3-1 win at an electric Goodison Park.
It was a dream start for Everton’s new temporary boss as Richarlison opened the scoring inside the opening five minutes, leaping the highest from Djibril Sidibé’s cross to round off a fantastic team move for the hosts.
New manager bounce working for Everton. Another class header from Richarlison.
— Enrique. (@SantixClaus) December 7, 2019
A Big Dunc style goal for a Big Dunc style team! Should’ve put the keeper in the net with the ball! Goodison is rockin’ @everton #Richarlison
— Zach Meekings (@zmeeks04) December 7, 2019
What a ball from Sidibe! Finally making the most of that aerial presence. Richarlison and DCL both brilliant in the air. #EFC
— Scott Morris (@Scott_MorrisEfc) December 7, 2019
Brilliant from Duncan Ferguson, Sidibe in at right back assisting Richarlison who is Joe playing up front, scoring a header?
— Chris (@chriskelly_765) December 7, 2019
A mistake from centre-back Michael Keane almost threw away Everton’s hard work in the opening 20 minutes, but the Blues were guilty of overplaying and in the end neither Willian and Tammy Abraham could get a shot off at goal.
Abraham continued to have chances come his way but the England international couldn’t quite get onto the end of through balls or passes from out wide, and Chelsea were forced to go into half-time trailing at Goodison Park.
Tammy Abraham is meant to be a Tap in Merchant and we don’t even have wingers who give tap ins ffs
— CFCDaily (@CFCDaily) December 7, 2019
Pulisic point blank refuses to pass to Tammy Abraham. It’s infuriating to watch
— poculum winecup (@poculumwinecup) December 7, 2019
Everton needed five first-half minutes to score the opening goal of the match, but they only needed four to double their lead.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin used his trademark physicality to find a way past former Everton loanee Kurt Zouma on the edge of the penalty area, finishing off the move with a calm finish underneath Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Good fight and finish from Calvert-Lewin
— Sabrina Belmonte (@SabriB10) December 7, 2019
Calvert-Lewin doesn’t miss this time, great tenacity and finish.
— Calm Master (@Akianotaylor) December 7, 2019
Calvert-Lewin showed more desire and heart to win that, composed finish, 2-0 Everton getting tough tight to the Chelsea players not giving them a minute of peace this afternoon #EVECHE
— Josh Bunting (@Buntingfootball) December 7, 2019
But Everton’s two-goal lead didn’t last long.
After Lucas Digne botched a clearance, Mateo Kova?i? was left completely unmarked on the edge of the penalty area to side foot a volley into Jordan Pickford’s near post.
Like with Calvert-Lewin’s goal, Kova?i?’s volley was looked at by the Video Assistant Referee for an unnecessarily long time before referee Craig Pawson eventually pointed to the centre circle.
What a goal. What a player. Caresses the ball on the volley into the bottom corner from 25 yards out. Kovacic. Only other player who could do that is Kroos.
— EBL (@EBL2017) December 7, 2019
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Ridiculous technique from Kovacic to side foot volley that from 25 yard
— Shaun Rudge (@ShaunRudge10) December 7, 2019
Chelsea continued to push for an equaliser and were able to carve open chances through Mason Mount, Andreas Christensen and César Azpilicueta.
But the visitors just couldn’t find a way through Everton’s defences, and Chelsea eventually even shot themselves in the foot in the latter stages of the game.
Kepa Arrizabalaga’s awful pass turned possession over and although Chelsea were able to keep out Tom Davies’ initial effort, Calvert-Lewin was on hand to poke the ball into the back of the net and wrap up the win for new manager Ferguson.
Calvert lewin deserved that goal tho
Amazing work rate— Kingsley (@__kiingsley) December 7, 2019
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Theo Walcott reborn to his peak Arsenal days today.
Calvert-Lewin MOTM.
— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) December 7, 2019
It was a deserved win for Everton, who outfought Chelsea throughout the 90 minutes even when The Blues showed off their superior technical quality on the ball.
Although question will still be surrounding Everton’s next permanent manager, Ferguson’s shown a sign that at the very least there isn’t going to be an identity crisis at Goodison Park.
For Chelsea, they’ve lost three of their last four games in the Premier League, but they’ll still end the weekend at least three points inside the top four.
Here’s some of the best reaction from full-time…
As a Red now I can’t deny I was pleased to see Everton win just for Duncan Ferguson! Celebrations were great to see & that is Everton football, aggressive, powerful & using the crowd!! #EVECHE
— Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) December 7, 2019
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Looking an awful lot like Chelsea (and Lampard) have run out of ideas, and steam.
Happened to him last year as well about this time.
— Annie Road Online (@AnnieRoadOnline) December 7, 2019
Well that’s not a bad start for Duncan Ferguson. The @Everton fans are jumping as high as their temporary manager used to.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) December 7, 2019
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To be honest I could write a thread about how everyone bar Kovacic and maybe James was awful today but there’s no point. Major improvement needed next game on an individual level and a tactical level.
There is a reason we’ve never won this season after going a goal down.
— Chelsea Extra ? (@CFCExtra) December 7, 2019
If I were an Everton fan I’d take Duncan Ferguson – for better or for worse – over any of the short/long term options so far mooted at the moment. Won’t all be plain sailing but team will be motivated, play with an intensity and will know their jobs.
— Darren Lewis (@MirrorDarren) December 7, 2019
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Toothless in attack and shambolic defending. Just an all-around awful performance by Chelsea
— Ahmadon’t ?? (@ahmadu_barrie10) December 7, 2019
Actually really lovely watching Duncan Ferguson and the Everton fans there
— Paddy (@VieiraPaddy) December 7, 2019
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