By Vibudh Dixit.
Chelsea convincingly dispatched of Everton at Stamford Bridge, making themselves more comfortable in the top four, and favourites to finish in that final Champions League spot.
A close game was predicted, but Frank Lampard’s side turned on the style and there were plenty of positives to take from the performance.
Billy Gilmour Is The Real Deal
Billy Gilmour continues to impress when given a chance. The 18-year old Scot ran the show once again with a Man of the Match performance.
He covered the most distance of any Chelsea player and also made the most accurate passes.
“He deserves to play,” Chelsea manager Lampard told Sky Sports after the game. “We have got injuries and suspension in the same area but I don’t want that to be the reason Billy is playing.
“He’s playing because he has trained well all season. I said that pre-Liverpool and he played very well against Liverpool.
“I expect more of the same. He’s young so I don’t want to heap too much on his shoulders but I believe in him.”
Ross Barkley’s Revival Continues
Barkley followed up a good performance against Liverpool in the FA Cup with another brilliant display against his old club.
The Englishman finished the game with two assists and six key passes with 98% pass accuracy. He seems to be stepping up at the right time with Chelsea having an ongoing injury crisis in midfield.
Ross Barkley’s game by numbers vs. Everton:
100% final third pass accuracy
100% cross accuracy
100% tackles won
98% pass accuracy
8 ball recoveries
7 successful take-ons
6 chances created
3 shots (2 on target)
2 assistsTop performance 💪 #CFC #CHEEVE pic.twitter.com/eHgBMWgrEC
— CFC-Blues (@CFCBlues_com) March 8, 2020
Lampard Not Afraid To Give Chances To More Youngsters
With Chelsea in a comfortable position, Lampard decided to hand out league debuts to midfielder Faustino Anjorin and forward Armando Broja who came on for Willian and Olivier Giroud respectively.
“The manager has shown great confidence in young players,” Cezar Azpilicueta said after the Liverpool game.
“They deserve to be here. I am very pleased they have this opportunity. They are the present and the future for the club. It’s important when they come through they feel confident and they have belief in their game.
“They need to express themselves without fear, the same way they have been doing in the youth teams or on loan. When they come to our team they have to show personality. They have to tell everybody they want the ball, because communication is key.”
Veterans Still Have A Lot To Offer
All of Chelsea’s front three, Olivier Giroud, Pedro, and Willian were on the scoresheet in Chelsea’s big win, a timely reminder that they still have a lot to offer to this Chelsea team where the youngsters have caught the eye this season.
With the Top four race heating up, Chelsea will look up to their veterans to continue to deliver.
Giroud Offers Something Different To Chelsea’s Attack
Tammy Abraham’s injury was supposed to be a massive blow to Chelsea, and Michy Batshuayi was given a chance but failed to deliver.
Eventually, Olivier Giroud got his chance and he has taken it with both hands.
The Frenchman’s ability to hold the ball up and lay it off offers something different to this Chelsea attack despite his lack of pace, This has kept the team more compact.
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