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Palmer scored for the first time since netting at Bayern Munich in the Champions League on 17 September At a glance Cole Palmer scores his first goal since September Malo Gusto adds a second having set up Palmer Dewsbury-Hall comes off injured against his former club PLAYER RATER Cole Palmer scored his first goal since September as Chelsea ended a four-game winless run with a 2-0 victory over in-form Everton at Stamford Bridge. The 23-year-old forward, still managing a groin injury that kept him out for more than two months, opened the scoring after 21 minutes in front of England manager Thomas Tuchel. Right-back Malo Gusto, who set up Palmer's goal, added a second just before half-time. Everton dominated the opening 20 minutes, with Iliman Ndiaye having two shots on goal and James Garner also going close. But the aptly nicknamed 'Cold' Palmer calmed Chelsea's nerves after a poor start to December, which included defeats at Leeds and Atalanta and a draw at Bournemouth. Played in behind Everton's defence by Gusto, Palmer took a touch before sending goalkeeper Jordan Pickford the wrong way with a finish into the near post. Momentum then swung Chelsea's way. Alejandro Garnacho missed several chances, including shooting wide for an open goal after capitalising on substitute Carlos Alcaraz's poor back pass, moments after injured Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall came off with an injury against his former club. Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez and Everton's Jack Grealish also had opportunities before the home side doubled their lead just before the break, with Gusto reacting quickest to turn in Pedro Neto's cross. In the second half, Garnacho scooped a close-range shot over before being replaced by Jamie Gittens. Grealish had a header saved and volleyed wide - the latter a chance that should have seen him pull one back - while Ndiaye hit a late shot against the post and Trevoh Chalobah blocked another from Alcaraz inside the box. Superior finishing proved decisive for Chelsea, who consolidated fourth place in the Premier League, while Everton remain eighth having played a game more than most of their rivals. This video can not be played 'Not at my best yet' - Palmer on return from injury This was not just another match or just another goal for Palmer. It was 87 days since his last goal and three days more since his last Premier League strike in September. Palmer was also playing in only his seventh match of the season, having lost three and drawn three of the previous six. It follows two understandably rusty performances on his return at Leeds and Bournemouth after more than two months out. Despite that period on the sidelines, Palmer's painful and recurring groin injury remains a problem that needs careful management. Before the match, Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca said Palmer is now among a group of players at the club who cannot start two games in the same week. That is why it was so important Palmer made a statement, with England manager Tuchel making a special effort to watch him and several other contenders for World Cup selection. During the last international break in November, Palmer's chances of selection looked bleak as in-form Jude Bellingham and Morgan Rogers strengthened their claims with good performances, while Tuchel said only two number 10s will make his 26-man squad. Making matters worse, versatile duo Phil Foden and Eberechi Eze also impressed in other positions. Palmer needs to make the most of every minute - to help Chelsea meet their lofty ambitions and boost his chances of selection - while battling his own body and fierce competition for the World Cup. This video can not be played No disappointment in Everton performance - Moyes Everton put in a creditable effort, but there are signs their squad depth may not be enough to sustain a push for European qualification. Strikers Thierno Barry and substitute Beto offered little threat in west London, while Grealish was wasteful and no clear chances fell to Ndiaye. The biggest concern, however, was the loss of Dewsbury-Hall, who has been a revelation since his £27m move from Chelsea in the summer. The 27-year-old midfielder is Everton's joint-top scorer with four goals and is among three players leading the way with six goal involvements, having registered two assists. His withdrawal with a suspected hamstring injury came just five minutes and 17 seconds before Chelsea opened the scoring through Palmer, and his replacement Alcaraz looked shaky. This was also Ndiaye and Idrissa Gueye's last match before the Africa Cup of Nations so the Toffees could be without three key players for the rest of a busy December period. It is a major issue for Everton, who boast an outstanding starting XI but, almost 12 months on from last year's American takeover, remain in the middle of a rebuild. Manager David Moyes has not shied away from targeting European qualification for the first time in eight years, but it would be a staggering achievement given the lack of depth and the risk that any major injuries could derail their challenge. Chelsea have a trip to Cardiff in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday, 16 December (20: 00 GMT), while Everton next host Arsenal on Saturday, 20 December (20: 00 GMT). Guardiola, a great generation, and dogs called John and Charles Angry fans throw chairs and bottles at Messi event in India Cup final victory would 'validate' Celtic process - Nancy After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users. Have your say on Chelsea's performance What did you make of Everton's display? Comments can not be loaded To load Comments you need to enable Java Script in your browser Last Updated 13th December 2025 at 19: 00 Please Note: All times UK. Tables are subject to change. The BBC is not responsible for any changes that may be made. Manager: Enzo Maresca Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Manager: David Moyes Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Manager: Enzo Maresca Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Manager: David Moyes Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Premier League All competitions All competitions All competitions 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, while only at Leeds 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. Only against Manchester United and Liverpool (28 each) have they drawn a blank more often. Chelsea are winless in their last three Premier League matches (D2 L1), having won five of their previous six games (L1). The Blues’ only longer winless run under Enzo Maresca came in December and January last season (five games). Everton have won four of their last five Premier League matches, keeping a clean sheet in each victory. Since David Moyes’ first game back in charge on 15 January this year, only Man City (13), Arsenal (13) and Chelsea (11) have more Premier League victories without conceding than the Toffees (10). Chelsea have made 46 line-up changes in the Premier League this season, 11 more than they’d made after 15 games in 2024-25 (35). They’ve made 4+ changes in each of their last four games, last doing so in more in a row between September and December 2022 (10 games). Everton have won their last two away Premier League matches, last having a longer away winning run between October and December in 2023 (four). Their last two away wins have both been 1-0 – the Toffees haven’t won three on the trot without conceding since December 2008. 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 having led from the whole of last season (7). David Moyes is winless in all 20 of his Premier League away games against Chelsea (D7 L13), only facing Liverpool on the road more often without a win (21). However, the Scotsman did end Everton’s only other 30+ game winless away run against an opponent, beating Leeds 1-0 in November 2002. Thierno Barry ended a run of 14 consecutive Premier League appearances without a goal, scoring his first for Everton in the 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest. Two ‘Barrys’ have scored in consecutive Premier League appearances – Barry Hayles in August 2003 and Gareth Barry (seven times). Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is Everton's joint leading Premier League scorer this season with four goals – he has netted three goals in his last four games, as many as he'd scored in his previous 62 combined for Leicester, Chelsea and the Toffees. Foul by Idrissa Gueye (Everton). Cole Palmer (Chelsea) wins a free kick on the right wing. Foul by James Garner (Everton). Foul by Cole Palmer (Chelsea). Jack Grealish (Everton) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Attempt missed. Alejandro Garnacho (Chelsea) right footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right. Attempt missed. Alejandro Garnacho (Chelsea) left footed shot from the left side of the box is close, but misses the top left corner. Assisted by João Pedro. Goal! Chelsea 1, Everton 0. Cole Palmer (Chelsea) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Malo Gusto with a through ball. Attempt saved. Iliman Ndiaye (Everton) left footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal by Robert Sánchez (Chelsea). Assisted by James Garner. Corner, Everton. Conceded by Trevoh Chalobah. Foul by Pedro Neto (Chelsea). Jack Grealish (Everton) wins a free kick on the left wing. Foul by Marc Cucurella (Chelsea). Iliman Ndiaye (Everton) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Substitution, Everton. Charly Alcaraz replaces Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall because of an injury. Delay over. They are ready to continue. Delay in match because of an injury Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (Everton). Reece James (Chelsea) wins a free kick on the right wing. Foul by Jack Grealish (Everton). Malo Gusto (Chelsea) wins a free kick in the attacking half. Copyright © 2025 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.