Portugal winger, Pedro Neto scored twice as Chelsea defeated Everton 2-0 in the Premier League on Saturday, ending the hosts’ unbeaten run in a match overshadowed by an injury to goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez.
Chelsea, managed by Xabi Alonso, secured the victory at Hill Dickinson Stadium to claim only their second away win against Everton in their last 10 meetings.
The result also ended the Blues’ run of 22 league matches without a clean sheet and lifted them to fourth in the table.
Both sides created chances in a lively first half but failed to find the breakthrough.
Everton’s Maxence Lacroix saw his header cleared off the line by Harrison Armstrong, while Chelsea midfielder Moisés Caicedo struck the crossbar with a volley.
Everton also missed a promising opportunity when Thierno Barry headed wide from a free position inside the box, as the hosts struggled to convert their chances.
Chelsea took the lead just seconds after the restart when Neto connected with a low cross from Jorrel Hato.
The winger fired through a defender’s legs, leaving Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford unable to keep the ball out despite getting a hand to the effort.
The match was interrupted in the 66th minute following a collision between Martínez and Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite during a set-piece situation.
The Argentine goalkeeper received medical attention before being stretchered off, raising concerns over his condition.
Everton pushed for an equaliser but were unable to break through Chelsea’s defence.
Neto then sealed the victory in the 90th minute, reacting quickest to a loose ball after Jordan Henderson’s free-kick struck the wall before driving his effort into the bottom corner.
Chelsea endured 13 minutes of added time but held firm to secure all three points and a clean sheet.
