Chelsea take command of Champions League race

With Chelsea on a charge up the table and into the top four places, they faced a tough task tonight at Stamford Bridge against an Everton side with a game in hand and aiming to make a statement by leapfrogging Thomas Tuchel’s men into the Champions League spots.

The Action: Making a rare start, much-maligned £70 million signing Kai Havertz got off to a flyer for the first time in the Premier League, latching on to a quick exchange from Callum Hudson-Odoi and Marcos Alonso to guide in an opener off of Ben Godfrey with half an hour gone.

Michael Keane and Jordan Pickford then combined to stop a huge breakaway chance for Alonso, before Havertz appeared to make it 2-0, with the referee quickly intervening over a handball.

Everton finally found their way into the match in the second half when Richarlison wasted a huge chance, but soon after his side were undone by Havertz once more. A hot-headed Pickford wiped out the German for a clear penalty, with Jorginho dispatching his trademark spot-kick.

Chelsea held on with ease, and could have had more, with Timo Werner brilliantly creating a one-on-one opportunity, which he somehow proceeded to fire straight at Pickford, looking again like a completely different player than last season’s Bundesliga breakout star.

The Big Picture: With an almost fully-fit squad that’s continually improving under Thomas Tuchel, Chelsea look like a certainty for Champions League football next season. Everton will have to dust themselves off and go again and hope that the after-effects of a comprehensive defeat don’t linger.

Expected Goals: Chelsea (2.90) 2-0 (0.28) Everton

Quote of the Day: Thomas Tuchel on Kai Havertz: "He's a guy that has the ability and talent to be a dominant figure in the offense. He stepped up today."

Stat of the Day: Thomas Tuchel has now gone nine league games unbeaten at Chelsea, only Frank Clark (11), and Maurizio Sarri (12) have longer opening runs.

🗣 “We are still far from where we want to be; We're on the right path, but we have to keep working because we haven't done anything yet."

Cesar Azpilicueta insists there's still much more to come from this Chelsea side. 👊

🎙 @ReshminTV pic.twitter.com/1CKmtTT6Cb

— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) March 8, 2021