Conte’s men put Everton to bed
RELENTLESS: CHELSEA PUT TRANSFER WOES BEHIND THEM
Koeman’s side sluggish after Europa League exertions.
London
Chelsea lifted Antonio Conte’s spirits ahead of the crucial final days of the transfer window as goals from Cesc Fabregas and Alvaro Morata sealed a comfortable 2-0 victory over woeful Everton on Sunday.
Conte has spent the last few weeks grumbling about Chelsea’s failure to land his top transfer targets, and with the window closing next week, the Blues boss is hoping to bolster his depleted squad with several signings.
Against that troubled backdrop, it was essential Chelsea signed off before the international break with three points to keep in touch with Premier League pace setters Manchester United.
The champions achieved that aim with ease as Fabregas opened the scoring in the first half at Stamford Bridge before Morata bagged his second goal since his club record £58 million move from Real Madrid.
Everton’s first league defeat of the season was a frustrating end to a positive week for Ronald Koeman’s men after they drew at Manchester City and qualified for the Europa League group stages.
Back from suspension, Fabregas came in for Tiemoue Bakayoko and was immediately in the thick of the action when Everton midfielder Idrissa Gueye escaped with a yellow card after catching the Spaniard with a crude studsup lunge.
Chelsea’s relentless pressure was rewarded in the 27th minute.
Fabregas flicked a pass to Morata and timed his run perfectly to receive the Spaniard’s headed return ball in his stride, nudging in front of Leighton Baines to guide a deft finish past Pickford for his first goal of the season.
It was only a matter of time before Chelsea made them pay again and it was Morata who delivered the killer blow in the 40th minute.
Meanwhile, Stoke City held West Bromwich Albion to a 1-1 draw at The Hawthorns. –