Everton's unbeaten start to the 2026/27 season came to an end as Chelsea secured a 2-0 victory at Hill Dickinson Stadium, the hosts' first defeat after eight matches without loss.
The west London outfit's previous visit to the Mersey waterfront on March 21 had ended in a 3-0 win for Everton, a result that moved them within three points of a Champions League qualification place. That evening, everything fell into place for the Blues, with supporters enjoying a 5:30pm start in spring sunshine after a raucous coach welcome, galvanised by a sense of injustice over Chelsea receiving only a fine for secret payments to unauthorised agents.
Supporters Set the Tone
Photographer Merlin Rohl, whose new photobook features an image of fans filling the streets before kick-off, remarked at its launch: "the supporters set the tone." However, the season's grandstand finish never materialised, with Everton failing to win any of their last seven matches and finishing 13th, leapfrogged by Sunderland.
Chelsea also missed out on Europe, pipped by Sunderland on the final day at the Stadium of Light. Their response was typical, with head coach Liam Rosenior relieved of his duties and new boss Xabi Alonso overseeing a summer window that brought 11 new faces, including Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa for £117 million.
Moyes Highlights Spending Gap
The spending power underscores the task facing David Moyes. When Chelsea won 2-0 at Stamford Bridge, a fixture where Everton haven't won since 1994, Moyes bristled at the suggestion of fine margins, replying: "Maybe a billion-pound difference? Possibly."
This was the first home fixture since The Friedkin Group announced the club is up for sale less than 22 months after their takeover. Farhad Moshiri, who has attended several matches here, was watching on, though his chaotic reign included two points deductions for financial breaches and a willingness to sell to 777 Partners, whose disgraced head Josh Wander pleaded guilty to $500 million of fraud.
Defensive Errors Prove Costly
Moyes waited almost 20 months for a specialist right-back, settling for Olympique Lyonnais' Ainsley Maitland-Niles for £4 million, a fee Everton paid for Duncan Ferguson 32 years ago. After a last-gasp equaliser on debut against Manchester United, the 29-year-old had a hand in both Hull City's goals and failed to stop the cross for Chelsea's opener, as Rogers backheeled to Jarrel Hato, whose delivery allowed Pedro Neto to break the deadlock a minute into the second half.
Jordan Pickford, under scrutiny with James Trafford providing a challenge, got a hand to the shot but couldn't keep it out. Before the break, Harrison Armstrong was booked for a challenge on Josh Acheampong, sparking spiky exchanges, though Moyes remarked there wasn't much else in the contest. Everton failed to test Mike Penders, making his Premier League debut for Chelsea after Emi Martinez was forced off with concussion following a challenge with Jarrad Branthwaite.
The Blues brought on Christian Norgaard for his debut, but he conceded the 90th-minute free-kick from which Chelsea doubled their lead. Vitalii Mykolenko got the loose ball stuck under his feet, and Neto struck again, ensuring Chelsea kept their first Premier League clean sheet since January.
