EPL: Everton Blow to Chelsea's Top-Four Hopes

Iliman Ndiaye's spectacular finish gives Everton 3-0 lead over Chelsea

Everton beat Chelsea 3-0, with Beto scoring twice and Iliman Ndiaye netting the third, dealing a blow to Chelsea's Champions League hopes.

Chelsea's top-four hopes take a hit after 3-0 loss to Everton, following midweek Champions League exit...

Everton put on a show at Hill Dickinson Stadium, securing their first Premier League home win of the season with a convincing 3-0 thrashing of Chelsea. Beto was the star of the show, scoring twice and setting up Iliman Ndiaye's third goal, which sealed the victory and dealt a blow to Chelsea's top-four hopes.

Liam Rosenior's Chelsea are struggling, and this defeat adds to the pressure on the manager. The Blues have lost four games in a row, and their indifferent run of form is raising concerns about their chances of securing a Champions League spot next season. Rosenior has acknowledged that his team needs to tighten up and reduce unforced errors if they want to bounce back.

Chelsea's chances weren't helped early on by Robert Sanchez, who was caught hesitating on the ball in his own box by Beto. Luckily, he recovered just in time to take the ball off the Everton forward's toe and prevent a goal.

Everton might've felt a bit unlucky, though, as James Garner - buzzing from his England call-up - hit a shot towards the bottom corner, only to be denied by Malo Gusto on the line.

Liam Rosenior's day got tougher just after the 30-minute mark when Everton took the lead. James Garner picked out Beto with a perfect pass, and the Portuguese forward pounced, getting in front of Robert Sanchez to lift the ball over him and into the bottom corner.

Beto's goal was a great strike, and it was a deserved lead for Everton, who had been creating chances throughout the first half. 

Chelsea suffer heavy defeat to Everton

Jordan Pickford was the hero for Everton, holding their 1-0 lead into halftime with a stunning reaction save to deny Enzo Fernandez from point-blank range. Fernandez was quick to react to a loose ball, but Pickford was equal to it.

Chelsea's frustrated manager Liam Rosenior made an attacking switch at halftime and another 15 minutes into the second half, desperate to spark a response from his team. 

Enzo Fernandez's curling effort had Jordan Pickford beaten, but the Everton goalkeeper managed to parry it away. However, things soon took a turn for the worse for Chelsea. A swift Everton counter-attack ended with Idrissa Gana Gueye finding Beto in the area, and he didn't hesitate, hammering the ball through Robert Sanchez's legs and into the net.

A resounding victory for @Everton as they go seventh 💪 pic.twitter.com/maIYyK3uOP

— Premier League (@premierleague) March 21, 2026

The goal was a blow to Chelsea's hopes, and it seemed like Everton were going to run away with the game. 

Beto was on fire, and his influence showed in Everton's third goal too. He won a header that found Iliman Ndiaye running onto the Chelsea backline. Ndiaye stepped inside and unleashed a rocket into the top corner, capping off a perfect evening for David Moyes' men.

This win moves Everton to within two points of sixth-placed Chelsea, and their European challenge is gaining momentum. A great night for the Toffees, and a bitter pill for Chelsea to swallow. 

Chelsea's situation is looking pretty grim. They were knocked out of the UEFA Champions League midweek, and to make matters worse, they suffered a 3-0 loss to Everton, dealing a significant blow to their top-four hopes