Everton vs Chelsea Preview: Form, Head-to-Head Stats, Records and Players to Watch

Chelsea face a challenging Premier League test on Saturday as they travel to Merseyside to take on Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium in the 12:30 p.m. kick-off.

The fixture marks Chelsea’s first away trip outside London this season and their second appearance at Everton’s new home. The Blues will be eager to avenge their 3-0 defeat at the stadium earlier this year and continue their recent improvement.

Chelsea head into the game on the back of an emphatic 5-1 victory over Bournemouth, a result that leaves them with one additional win, four more goals and two extra points compared with the same stage of last season.

Their attacking performances have been particularly encouraging, with the Blues repeatedly finding the net early in matches. They have broken the deadlock five times in the opening stages of their league fixtures, a trend that could prove important against an Everton side that remains unbeaten this season.

Everton, meanwhile, drew 2-2 with Hull City on Sunday, scoring the first league goals conceded by the Tigers at home this term.

With Chelsea’s attacking efficiency meeting Everton’s defensive resilience, the contest promises to be a significant test for both sides.

1. Can Chelsea Maintain Their Winning Momentum?

Chelsea’s 5-1 demolition of Bournemouth has strengthened confidence ahead of their trip to Merseyside.

The result demonstrated the Blues’ attacking potential and improved their record compared with the corresponding stage of the previous campaign.

They also have an impressive record in Saturday’s early kick-off, remaining unbeaten in their last 10 matches played at 12:30 p.m., recording eight victories and two draws.

Their most recent outing in that time slot ended in a 1-1 draw against Liverpool at Anfield in May.

Victory against Everton would take Chelsea above their opponents in the league table and could lift them to fourth place, depending on the result of Brentford’s match against Liverpool later on Saturday.

2. Everton Remain a Difficult Away Opponent

Chelsea’s recent form will offer encouragement, but their historical record against Everton on Merseyside presents a significant obstacle.

Liverpool are the only opponent against whom Chelsea have suffered more league defeats away from home. The Blues have lost 50 league matches against Liverpool and 44 against Everton, matching their number of defeats against Arsenal.

Goodison Park was the venue for 43 of Chelsea’s 44 league defeats against Everton. Their 3-0 loss at the Hill Dickinson Stadium in March was their heaviest away defeat against the Toffees since losing 4-1 in October 1987.

Before that loss, Chelsea had gone four matches unbeaten against Everton, winning three.

Their latest victory at Goodison Park came in August 2022, when Jorginho scored a penalty to end Chelsea’s run of four consecutive defeats at the ground.

The rivalry dates back more than a century. Chelsea’s first league victory at Goodison Park came in April 1908, when George Hilsdon scored a hat-trick in a 3-0 win.

Further memorable victories followed, including 3-2 triumphs in 1919 and 1922. Roy Bentley later scored in another 3-2 victory after a 26-year gap between wins at the ground.

Chelsea also recorded a 3-0 victory in October 1956, with Les Stubbs scoring twice, and a 2-0 win in March 1969 through goals from Alan Birchenall and Ian Hutchinson.

Gordon Davies produced a hat-trick in a 4-3 victory in December 1984, while Steve Clarke helped Chelsea to another win four years later. Robert Fleck also featured in a 4-3 victory during Chelsea’s first Premier League visit to Goodison Park.

Between 2001 and 2010, Chelsea went unbeaten against Everton home and away in all competitions. The period included the Blues’ 2009 FA Cup final triumph and Didier Drogba’s late winner in a 3-2 league victory in December 2006.

Frank Lampard scored twice in a 2-1 victory just before New Year in 2012, while Diego Costa netted twice in a thrilling 6-3 win in August 2014.

Chelsea also claimed a 3-0 victory in 2017 after scoring three times in a 21-minute second-half spell.

However, their 1-0 win in 2022 remains their only victory away to Everton since that period.

3. Early Goals Could Be Chelsea’s Biggest Weapon

One of Chelsea’s most striking trends this season has been their ability to score almost immediately after kick-off.

The Blues have scored six league goals within the opening seven minutes, representing 40 per cent of their total. Four of those strikes came within the first three minutes.

That leaves Chelsea just one goal short of their record for goals scored within the opening three minutes across an entire Premier League season, achieved during their 2014/15 title-winning campaign.

Their fast starts could place Everton under immediate pressure, particularly if Chelsea can convert early chances into goals.

Chelsea also possess the league’s second-best shot-conversion rate at 18.29 per cent, behind Manchester City’s 19.28 per cent.

Joao Pedro has scored five times from 13 shots, further highlighting the Blues’ ability to make their opportunities count.

4. Everton’s High Press Could Cause Problems

Although Chelsea boast impressive attacking numbers, Everton have their own strengths.

The Toffees have recorded 14 high turnovers leading to shots this season, the highest total in the Premier League. However, only one of those situations has resulted in a goal.

Their pressing could create opportunities to disrupt Chelsea’s build-up play and force mistakes, although they will need greater efficiency in front of goal to capitalise on those situations.

Another notable statistic is the disciplinary record of both teams. Chelsea have committed 50 fouls this season, while Everton have committed 44, with both figures lower than those of any other Premier League side.

Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer have also combined to create 24 attempts on goal this campaign, underlining the creative threat associated with Chelsea’s attacking play.

5. Henderson Makes History in Bournemouth Win

Chelsea’s victory over Bournemouth also brought a personal milestone for Jordan Henderson.

At 36 years and 115 days old, Henderson became Chelsea’s oldest English goalscorer since John Terry scored against Watford in May 2017.

He also scored and assisted within two minutes and 29 seconds during the Bournemouth match.

Only Emile Heskey, who achieved the same feat against Derby County in April 1998 in less than two minutes, has completed both actions more quickly in a Premier League match.

The achievement adds another talking point to Chelsea’s preparations for Saturday’s trip.

6. Chelsea Have an Opportunity to Climb the Table

Beyond the historical rivalry, the match carries important implications for the league standings.

A win would move Chelsea above Everton and could take them as high as fourth place, depending on the outcome of Brentford’s clash with Liverpool.

The Blues will therefore be looking to combine their improved attacking form with a disciplined performance against an Everton side that has started the campaign without defeat.

Everton, meanwhile, will be determined to protect their home record and take advantage of Chelsea’s historical difficulties on Merseyside.

Verdict: A Test of Attack Against Resilience

Chelsea arrive with renewed confidence following their 5-1 victory over Bournemouth, while Everton will look to build on their unbeaten start and make home advantage count.

The Blues’ early goals, impressive shot-conversion rate and recent attacking performances provide reasons for optimism. Nevertheless, their record against Everton away from home serves as a reminder that Saturday’s contest will be far from straightforward.

For Chelsea, the challenge is to turn their improved form into a result that strengthens their push for the top four. For Everton, it is an opportunity to extend their unbeaten run and reinforce their reputation as a difficult opponent on Merseyside.

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