Chelsea 2-0 Everton – Premier League LIVE: Live score, team news and latest updates as Cole Palmer scores superb opening goal before adding second

The Everton fans are incredibly quiet all of a sudden.

Before the opener, the Toffees were on top and looked the more likely to go in front, but that’s all changed now.

Both their midfield and defence are really struggling to contain Chelsea.

Cole Palmer is on fire, he now has 11 goals in his last seven appearances at home.

That’s incredible form, where would they be without him.

He has it now!

Cole Palmer cannot be stopped at the moment and this time he does manage to finish into an empty net.

Nicolas Jackson forces a save from Jordan Pickford who palms it straight into the path of the 21-year-old to head home.

Chelsea are ripping Everton apart.

How does Cole Palmer not have a brace?

Just as I’m singing his praises, Palmer doesn’t turn home the easiest chance he’s had as a Chelsea player.

He has an open goal from two yards out, but he runs ahead of the ball and it bounces off him in the wrong direction.

We’ll let him off for that one though.

Wow, wow, wow.

That is Cole Palmer at his brilliant best, he has just single-handedly put Chelsea in front.

The 21-year-old nutmegs Jarrad Branthwaite, before a lovely one-two with Nicolas Jackson which ends with a lovely bending finish.

Chelsea had been on the backfoot, but with Palmer in the side, they always have a chance.

He is incredible.

Oh no, Beto has to score.

Everton have made a great start and link up really well down the right-hand side.

Seamus Coleman then fires a dangerous low cross across goal and Beto fires it over the bar from inside the six-yard box.

The offside flag went up, but on the replay, it looks like the Everton striker was actually onside.

He simply had to do better.

That was a bit dangerous from Malo Gusto.

The Chelsea full-back doesn’t have many options as he heads the wrong way and rolls it lightly back toward Dorde Petrovic, however, Beto nearly pounces on it.

Luckily for Chelsea, Petrovic gets there first.

Some promising play from Everton there.

James Tarkowski nods a set-piece across the box, but Beto can’t get on the end of it.

The Everton fans liked that, they produce a mighty roar of encouragement.

Ooooooh…

Amadou Onana has left a painful one on Conor Gallagher in the first minute, accidentally laying his studs in on the ankle of the Englishman.

It warrants a free-kick, but nothing comes from the delivery.

Here we go then, Chelsea get the ball rolling!

The Everton fans are in fine voice, will they have anything to cheer about throughout the night.

We will find out over the course of the next 90 minutes.

The flames are out, which will warm up the players on a chilly spring night.

The Everton fans boo the Premier League anthem, they must have heard that I’m not a fan of it, and they agree…

At least after it the Chelsea speakers blast out some funky music, lets hope that translates onto the pitch.

The warm-ups are complete and we are less than 10 minutes from kick-off.

You know what that means, it’s prediction time.

I think Everton’s pain at the Bridge will continue, I’m going to go for a 2-1 Chelsea win, what do you all think?

Matt Barlow, Mail Sport, at Stamford Bridge:

A cold wind whipping round Stamford Bridge removes any hint of end-of-season… winter coats and woolly hats are on in the middle of April. Plenty of players warming up in gloves.

It may look glorious, but Matt confirming photos don’t tell the full story…

I came across this picture and couldn’t not post about it.

The sunset is looking stunning at Stamford Bridge, let’s hope the football is too.

Both teams are finishing up their final preparations, it’s nearly game time and I’m getting very excited.

What’s that fast-forward phrase I always use?

Kieran Gill, Mail Sport, at Stamford Bridge:

As expected for Chelsea, though interesting to see the academy kids Tyrique George (born February 2006) and Kiano Dyer (November 2006) on the substitutes’ bench for the first time. They’re two very talented kids and would be nice to see them get a chance if Chelsea are cruising to a win near the end.

The fans are starting to stream in.

Just look at that scarf, she must be well travelled as a fan, there are a lot of badges there.

The Chelsea fans have not always had enjoyable experiences at Stamford Bridge this season, but they will be hoping tonight is.

Dele Alli, Everton midfielder, speaking on Sky Sports’ MNF:

I just wish I could be out there and help them [Everton] and you know be a part of the team on the pitch.

I think he’s [Sean Dyche] been amazing since he’s been there. I think it’s a strange one because they do create so many chances. [Abdoulaye] Doucoure helps with the goals Dom [Calvert-Lewin] obviously he’s great, we all know he’s a great goal scorer. They create so many chances are not scoring so many goals but the quality is there. It’s like it’s only a matter of time.

That’s why it was so hard for me when I got the last injury because I was watching the games and I could see the chances that the midfielders were getting, or that were dropping on the edge of the box, and I couldn’t wait to get out there.

Look, we should expect some goals tonight.

Chelsea are without a clean sheet in 13 consecutive games in all competitions.

During that run, they have shipped 27 goals. However, Everton only have 32 all season.

A poor defence against a poor attack.

Sean Dyche, Everton manager, on Dominic Calvert-Lewin to Sky Sports:

Dom’s [Calvert-Lewin] got a tight hamstring, nothing more, so we’re happy in the sense that we think it will recover quickly. It was a tight call.

Wow, time just flies, doesn’t it?

It feels like just yesterday that a young Jordan Pickford broke into the Sunderland starting 11.

He’s not a spring chicken anymore, the Everton stopper is set to make his 400th appearance this evening.

I guess goalkeepers do rack up the appearances quickly.

With Dominic Calvert-Lewin out, Beto has to step up for Everton tonight.

Everton have struggled to find the back of the net this season, and so has Beto, he only has three league goals in 26 matches.

They will need him to find his form if they are to win against the odds tonight.

There we go then, Dominic Calvert-Lewin has not made it.

Everton have also made two changes, with Beto replacing the injured Calvert-Lewin, and Amadou Onana also returns.

Can this side break that 28-match winless streak at Stamford Bridge.

Axel Disasi and Enzo Fernandez don’t make it.

Mauricio Pochettino has made two changes from the 2-2 draw with Sheffield United last week.

Malo Gusto and Mykhailo Mudryk are the two that come in.

Game faces are on.

Chelsea have arrived at Stamford Bridge for a match that could have huge ramifications on their push for Europe.

It will be interesting to see which Chelsea turns up tonight, they can be such a ‘Jekyll and Hyde’ side.

They looked focused.

Dele Alli, Everton midfielder, speaking on Sky Sports’ MNF:

I’m doing really well. It’s been nearly a year now, but I’m feeling good, I’m obviously injured, which is disappointing. But yeah, I’m doing well.

When I did that interview, I said it was the best I’d felt at that time, I was coming out of rehab and getting ready to be back playing. It’s been tough, but, it’s a journey I’m on and I’m enjoying it. I’m just waiting to get back now.

When I did the interview, I said, if I helped one person that was all I needed, I also did it for my own reasons, obviously. But, to help one person that was all I wanted from it. The reaction I got and the support was definitely overwhelming, but it was amazing to see how many people did help. I’m definitely very proud of it.

I was [expecting to play this season], when I went there I tore my rec firm, I’ve had to be patient, I’ve really had to learn what patience is. It’s been a long journey with the injury.

Well, while it seems Dominic Calvert-Lewin has not arrived in west London, the rest of the Everton side has.

It’s a big day for them after another eventful week, they desperately need to pick up points to stay out of trouble.

The players are looking relaxed, so that’s a positive for the Everton fans.

Some potential early team news that Everton fans will not want to see.

Everton have arrived at Stamford Bridge, but it looks like a certain Dominic Calvert-Lewin has not arrived with the team.

If he is not involved tonight, that’s a huge blow for Everton, especially after his recent return to goalscoring form.

Who will start up top for Everton?

While he may not be on the pitch for Everton tonight, Dele Alli will be involved in tonight’s match, as it’s been confirmed that he will appear as a special guest on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football.

It is set to be Alli’s first media appearance since he courageously opened up on The Overlap with Gary Neville, last summer.

The 28-year-old signed for Everton in 2022, and is currently working towards a return to first-team action.

The number seven seems to be coming up a lot tonight.

Anyway, Cole Palmer, what a player. Many of us knew Palmer was a talent while at Manchester City, but I’m not sure many predicted the incredible season he has had at Chelsea this year.

The 21-year-old has been involved in 25 goals in his last 22 Premier League games, scoring 16 and assisting nine. Extremely impressive.

If Palmer scores tonight, he will become the first Chelsea player to net in seven successive Premier League home games.

I wouldn’t be surprised to see his name on the scoresheet this evening, I’m not sure anyone would be.

While Chelsea may be in the midst of a seven-match unbeaten run, they have conceded a lot of goals in those matches.

The Blues have both scored and conceded at least two goals in seven consecutive matches in the Premier League.

If they do so again tonight, they will become the first top-flight English side ever to have done so in eight consecutive matches.

What I take this as is to expect lots of goals, which is great for the neutral.

That’s why I said it’s set to be enjoyable!

It’s already been a very eventful day for Everton.

The club have now officially lodged their appeal against a two-point deduction they were handed for breaching the Premier League’s profitability and sustainability rules.

What this means is that there may not be a verdict on the appeal until five days after the end of the campaign.

Want to know more? Read below:

It’s only recently that Chelsea have started to threaten the European places.

The Blues currently sit six points behind Manchester United in seventh, the Europa Conference League spot, but they have two games in hand. Win tonight, and they are really in the race.

With United faltering regularly, and the fact that they are on a seven-game unbeaten league run, Europe is looking like a real possibility for Mauricio Pochettino’s side.

What do you think, can the Blues make Europe?

Stamford Bridge is not a happy hunting ground for Everton.

The Toffees have gone 28 games without victory away at Chelsea, with their last coming under the stewardship of Joe Royle back in 1994.

Yes, that’s right, Everton have gone nearly 30 years without winning away at Chelsea. There is only one other winless run by one Premier League club away to another that is just as long, and that’s Newcastle United’s record away to Liverpool.

Records are there to be broken…

In the blue corner, we have… well, both teams.

This is a fixture that is a staple in the Premier League football schedule, and is one where the home side normally comes out on top,

Today, it’s Chelsea that are hosting and despite spending the majority of the campaign in the bottom half of the table, they currently sit in ninth and are still in the hunt for a European place.

Meanwhile, Everton are fighting for their lives. After being deducted eight points this season from two separate offences, the second of which they are appealing, the Toffees sit just two points clear of the relegation zone, but they do have two games in hand.

Who will take a step closer to their goal tonight?

The weekend’s not over just yet.

You have to love football on a Monday night. A lot of you may have got home from work, have got your dinner ready, and can put your feet up and watch some Premier League football. Nothing better.

It’s not a bad game either, Chelsea vs Everton, a match that has provided some fabulous moments over the years.

This year it could have a big impact on the European spots, and the fight for survival. I’m sure Luton Town and Nottingham Forest fans will be willing Chelsea on.

It’s set to be an enjoyable watch, well, we can live I hope.

Either way, I can’t wait to cover it for all of you!