Pedro Neto fires Chelsea to first away win as Everton's unbeaten start ends

Pedro Neto scored twice as Chelsea ended Everton’s unbeaten start to the Premier League season with a 2-0 win at Goodison Park, claiming their first away victory of the campaign and first top-flight clean sheet in 23 matches.

Neto broke the deadlock just 44 seconds into the second half, finishing from a driving run by Morgan Rogers that cut open the Everton defence. He then slid home from Jordan Henderson’s deflected free-kick to complete the first Premier League double of his career and seal the points, even as Everton pressed through 11 minutes of added time.

The afternoon was defined as much by controversy as by Chelsea’s quality. Rogers, already on a yellow card for a tussle with James Tarkowski, went in studs up on James Garner in a challenge that caught the Everton midfielder high on the shin. Neither referee Paul Tierney nor VAR moved to issue a second caution or a straight red, to the visible frustration of the home side. Rogers then drew further ire from Everton supporters when he tumbled in the penalty area after minimal contact from Tarkowski.

The win came at a cost for Chelsea. Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez was carried off and taken to hospital following a clash of heads with Everton centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite. Belgian 21-year-old Mike Penders came on for a 25-minute Premier League debut, becoming Chelsea’s youngest goalkeeper in the competition and keeping a clean sheet on his first appearance.

Everton were not without their moments. Thierno Barry directed a header straight at Martinez when half the net was open, and Merlin Rohl had a shot saved before the break. Xabi Alonso’s side also saw Moises Caicedo smash a brilliantly controlled volley against the angle of post and crossbar from a Henderson corner, a reminder of how fine the margins were before Rogers’ second-half contribution changed the game.

The 2-0 scoreline was considered harsh on Everton, who had matched Chelsea for long stretches, but the result confirmed the end of their promising early-season run and handed Chelsea a statement victory on the road.