Chelsea v Everton: Cole Palmer nets first Premier League goal since September as Blues lead at Stamford Bridge

Cole Palmer scored his first Premier League goal in three months as Chelsea broke the deadlock against Everton with Enzo Maresca’s side looking to get back to winning ways.

The England international, who has only recently returned to the fold a groin problem and then a broken toe, struck in the 21st minute of the match at Stamford Bridge to inflict further misery on the Toffees, who had earlier lost in-form midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, playing against his former club, to injury.

Palmer was played in by a neat pass from Malo Gusto, before beating compatriot Jordan Pickford at his near post.

It was the perfect start for Maresca’s men, who are without a win in their last four in all competitions and looking to bounce back from the 2-1 defeat suffered at the hands of Atalanta in the Champions League in Bergamo on Tuesday.

For Everton, who came into the game full of confidence after a run of four Premier League wins in their last five fixtures, the early setback proved a bad omen.

Gusto doubled Chelsea’s advantage in first-half stoppage time to put the hosts in a commanding position going into the break.

The Merseysiders have not won at Stamford Bridge in the top-flight since 1994, while their manager, David Moyes, has never tasted victory in the Premier League there.

CHELSEA TEAM NEWS

Liam Delap again misses out with a shoulder injury, while the game comes too soon for Dario Essugo (thigh).

It’s unclear when Romeo Lavia will be able to return from a muscle problem that has kept him out since the November 5 clash with Qarabag.

Cole Palmer returns to the starting XI having been rested in midweek. Malo Gusto, Wesley Fofana and Alejandro Garnacho are also recalled.

Chelsea: Sanchez; Gusto, W Fofana, Chalobah, Cucurella; Fernandez, James, Neto, Palmer, Garnacho; Joao Pedro

EVERTON TEAM NEWS

Jarrad Branthwaite (hamstring) is still on the sidelines for Everton, who will again be without Merlin Rohl as he continues to recover from surgery on a hernia.

Idrissa Gana Gueye returns after serving a three-match ban for slapping team-mate Michael Keane.

Everton: Pickford, O’Brien, Keane, Tarkowski, Mykolenko, Gueye, Garner, Ndiaye, Dewsbury-Hall, Grealish, Barry

How to watch Chelsea v Everton: TV channel, live online streams

Chelsea v Everton kicks off at at 15:00 GMT (10:00 ET / 07:00 PT) on Saturday and will not be broadcast live in the UK.

Chelsea v Everton stats

• Chelsea are unbeaten in their last 30 Premier League home games against Everton (W17 D13). It’s their longest unbeaten home run against an opponent in their league history. Only at Leeds United have Everton had a longer run without a win (36 from 1953 to 2001).
• Everton have failed to score in 27 different Premier League games against Chelsea, including each of the last three in a row. They have only drawn a blank more often against Manchester United and Liverpool (28 each).
• Chelsea are winless in their last three Premier League matches (D2 L1) after winning five of their previous six games (L1). The Blues’ sole longer winless run under Maresca came in December and January last season (five games).
• Everton have won four of their last five Premier League games, keeping a clean sheet in each victory. Since David Moyes’ first game of his second spell on January 15 this year, only Manchester City (13), Arsenal (13) and Chelsea (11) have more Premier League victories without conceding than Everton (10).
• Chelsea have dropped more points from winning positions in Premier League home games than any other side this season (8), drawing 1-1 with Arsenal having scored first last time out. It’s already one more point than they dropped at home from winning positions in the entirety of last season (7).