Everton 2-0 Chelsea: 6 Things We Learned

By Mark Langshaw /

5. Everton Can Defend When They Try

Leaking goals, allowing leads to slip, and lapses in concentration have marred Everton€™s Premier League campaign and left them languishing at the wrong end of the table, but the Toffees€™ defence answered some of it critics during the win over Chelsea. It was a cagey first half where both sides looked reluctant to take the game to their opponents, but Phil Jagielka and Ramiro Funes Mori held their ground at centre-back when it counted. Seamus Coleman and Leighton Baines in the wing-back positions looked composed throughout the match. Midfield duo Gareth Barry and Tom Cleverley pushed further forward than we€™ve come to expect from Roberto Martinez€™s gameplans, and this threatened to leave the rear guard exposed when Chelsea started to press in the second period. There was a let off for them on the hour mark when Costa raced clean through and rounded Joel Robles, only to shoot across the face of goal - but the hosts€™ backline otherwise held its shape well, proving that Everton can defend when they really try.