Chelsea Champion League Race succumb After Everton's Win

Maybe this was not such a bad weekend for Manchester United, after all. Chelsea arrived at Goodison Park in need of turning their game in hand into three points in the race for the Champions League. 

Instead, they remain outside the top four, succumbing 2-0 to Everton after a dismal second half display, defensive timidity matching a blunt attack. 

It was further confirmation how far this side has fallen since their title win of two years ago, individual class failing to compensate for visible imbalance and a worrying collapse under the first strain of pressure.

Everton’s vast second half improvement merited the victory, Richarlison’s header breaking through before Gylfi Sigurdsson tapped in after his 71stminute penalty was saved.

Marco Silva’s call for consistency was not exactly heeded – the hosts were as unadventurous in the first half as they were energised after the interval – but when they clicked the exposing of Chelsea’s defensive frailties was impressive.

David Luiz and Antonio Rudiger were especially awful having coasted through the first half, underlining why Maurizio Sarri’s problems extend further than the lack of clinical edge upfront - which failed to reward a more encouraging start to the fixture.

There was little sign of what would follow in the early stages, Chelsea intent on testing the emotional balance of Jordan Pickford. Unfortunately for Sarri, England’s number one was back to his best after his problems a week ago.