Chelsea 5 Everton 0: Beef between Diego Costa and Seamus Coleman, both sides played 3-4-3 system, Barkley needs to step up
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CHELSEA put in a dominant performance against Everton after putting five goals past them at Stamford Bridge.
Antonio Conte's side proved too much for the Toffees to handle after Eden Hazard bagged a brace, whilst Diego Costa, Marcos Alonso and Pedro also got in on the act for the Blues.
Chelsea now sit at the top of the table after winning their last five Premier League matches in a row.
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Here’s five things we learnt from the game.
Seamus Coleman and Diego Costa still have serious beef with each other
THE much-maligned striker could not help goading the right-back during Chelsea’s 6-3 victory at Goodison Park two years ago after Coleman’s own goal.
The defender got his own back here though early doors.
The Republic of Ireland international went in hard, but deemed fair, on the Spanish forward on the edge of his own area.
Costa was left in a heap and after a minute or two on the ground, looked to have blood on his sock once he had risen to his feet.
Ah, the old 3-4-3 formation
WORKS for some, fails miserably for others.
And I’m afraid it was the latter for the men from Merseyside this evening.
Ronald Koeman attempted to mirror Antonio Conte’s tactics in his own line-up – but it was a complete disaster.
It lasted all of 35 minutes before he subbed off left wing-back Bryan Oviedo for Kevin Mirallas and went back to a flat back four. The damage, however, was already done.
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Ross Barkley has got to turn up in a big match soon
THE playmaker has a number of admirers, including this writer, but people cannot seriously talk about him as being a potential game-changer for club and country until he starts doing it against the big boys.
Few will feel that is a harsh judgement considering his side were away against one of the title challengers, but victory today would have took Everton three points from the summit.
And if they are to start challenging for honours, then occasions such as this should be bringing in points, courtesy of their top performers.
To truly be considered one of the best in the country, Barkley needs to start making things happen against the likes of Chelsea.
Few managers are as animated as Antonio Conte on the touchline
THE Italian literally lives, breaths and kicks everything during the game… And even the Chelsea faithful inside the Bridge come under his jurisdiction at times.
With thirty minutes gone, and his side two to the good, the ball went out for a Blues thrown right in front of his area.
The animated enforcer quickly turned, spotted the fan who was about to throw the ball back from the stand, and barked out the order for the supporter to keep hold of it.
As he turned to ensure his side were back organised, the ball was returned, and the former Juventus man turned to the follower as if to say ‘I never told you to do that’.
Pedro is becoming a key man for Chelsea
The ex-Barcelona star was fantastic against Everton, linking up well with Hazard behind and wide of the rampaging Costa up top. In addition to his goal, the Spaniard also turned provider.
His second assist of the day for Hazard in the second half was his fourth in his last four top-flight matches, more than he got in his first 35 matches in England.
