How did Marco Silva react more effectively to outsmart Chelsea?

Everton hosted Chelsea in the Premier League as the Toffees looked to bounce back from throwing away a two-goal lead at Newcastle United in their last outing. Chelsea arrived on Merseyside with many questions to answer themselves as they pursue a place in next season’s Champions League.

Going into the fixture, both managers were feeling the pressure after underwhelming seasons for their respective teams. Despite significant investment in the last few years, Everton have seemingly taken a scattergun approach to recruitment. A revolving door of coaches meaning they lack a real identity to their play.

So far Marco Silva has yet to really change this. The highest placed team they had beaten so far this season was Leicester City in 10th. With home defeats such as the humbling 6-2 home loss to Spurs casting doubt over the Toffees manager, a statement win against one of the Premier League’s better teams would give the Portuguese coach some much needed breathing space.

Chelsea arrived at Goodison Park with Maurizio Sarri also under heavy scrutiny, having so far failed to replicate the thrilling football that took Serie A by storm in 2017/18 with Napoli. A performance and result were required on Merseyside to relieve some of the pressure off of the Italian coach.

As it transpired, Everton ran out 2-0 winners in a game that neither team especially impressed in.

Lineups

As expected, both sides lined up as expected. Everton opted for a 4-2-3-1 with Andre Gomes alongside the busy Idrissa Gana Gueye in central midfield. Colombian Yerry Mina replaced Kurt Zouma at centre back, who couldn’t compete against his parent club. Up front Silva chose the hustle and bustle of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, supported by Gylfi Sigurdsson as the number 10.

Chelsea were in a familiar 4-3-3 shape, with Ross Barkley selected ahead of Mateo Kovacic as one of the pair of Chelsea eights alongside N’Golo Kante. After impressing in midweek against Dynamo Kyiv, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Olivier Giroud were restored to the bench, as Sarri stuck rigidly to his base shape and trusted personnel.