Everton 3-1 Chelsea
Jose Mourinho knows he needs to get Chelsea smiling again if they are to find their form after another defeat at Everton on Saturday.
Steven Naismith’s perfect hat-trick condemned the defending champions to a third loss in five games this season and they could fall into the relegation zone if Newcastle beat West Ham tonight.
Nemanja Matic pulled one back for Chelsea when the score was 2-0 with a stunning 30-yard effort, but the Blues could not get back on level terms.
“We deserved better and played for a better result,” said Mourinho.
“We need to win a couple of consecutive matches, we need the players to smile again, we need the strikers to score goals, we need the defenders to not make mistakes and be punished, we need confidence.
“But I am the champion and the players are the champions.”
Chelsea made a bright start to the game but were caught out by Everton’s cleverly-worked opener in the 17th minute.
Brendan Galloway delivered an inch-perfect cross from the left to find Naismith’s head in the box after some slick play from the Toffees.
And just five minutes later the Scottish international smashed a strike in from outside the area that fizzed past Asmir Begovic into the bottom left-hand corner of the net.
Matic pulled one back for the visitors with an early contender for goal of the season, a screamer that curled away from the outstretched arms of Tim Howard.
But the Serbian’s goal was nothing more than a consolation for the Blues after Naismith scored his third from a tight angle in the 82nd minute to seal all three points for Everton.
The defeat leaves Chelsea 11 points behind league leaders Manchester City just a month into the new campaign.
Feature image courtesy of Chelsea FC, via Youtube, with thanks
