Carlo Ancelotti endured a miserable return to Stamford Bridge. Chelsea thrashed his side Everton to boost their top-four Premier League hopes.
Chelsea began their game with a greater tempo. Courtesy of Billy Gilmour, the Blues went ahead after 14 minutes when Mason Mount ended an 18-game goal drought. The latter fired past Jordan Pickford at his near post.
Lampard’s side took control of the game. Pedro latched on to a superb through ball by Ross Barkley to score his first league goal of the season.
Five minutes later, Everton had their chance to strike back. Nonetheless, Dominic Calvert-Lewin duffed a shot with Kepa Arrizabalaga to beat.
Two goals in a three-minute space shortly after the break ended the game as a contest. However, William found the bottom corner with a low shot and Olivier Giroud continued his renaissance with a tap-in from a short corner.
Yesterday marked a desperately disappointing day for Ancelotti. The Italian has been in form since his first game in charge during which they have picked up 18 points.
The results mean Everton remain 12th in the title race. Eight points behind fifth-placed Manchester United while Chelsea stays fourth.
Gilmour boosts Chelsea
Gilmour’s first Premier league return came after a man-of-the-match performance in their FA Cup win over Liverpool.
Gilmour, to Chelsea, he offers a quicker alternative to Jorginho at the base of their midfield. Mount had already tested Everton goalkeeper, Jordan Pickford who had a very good game before he scored.
Pickford, who was criticized after conceding against Man United made another smart save from Willian. However, he did little when Barkley proved a point to the booing Everton fans. He sliced his former team open for Pedro to score his first league goal in 13 months.
Apart from Calvert-Lewin’s chance which came from a mix-up between Marcos Alonso and Kurt Zouma, Chelsea continued to press for a third.
After the break, Willian scored his seventh of the season. He made a superb strike and Giroud showed his quality at the point of Chelsea’s attack with his second goal in three league games.
For Lampard and Chelsea fans, it was one of those games where everything clicked.