Another week, another Chelsea defeat.
On Sunday, the Blues suffered their seventh loss of the 2023/24 Premier League season so far, falling to an in-form Everton side at Goodison Park thanks to second-half goals from Abdoulaye Doucoure and Lewis Dobbin.
Here’s how X reacted to all the action on Sunday…
After yet another disappointing result in midweek, Mauricio Pochettino expectedly made a number of changes to the starting lineup that was beaten by Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Armando Broja’s inclusion ahead of summer signing Nicolas Jackson was the biggest talking point surrounding Pochettino’s changes and it was a decision that went down well with Chelsea fans on X.
It’s exactly what we have been asking for! Let’s hope it pays off— CFCStocks (@CFCStocks22) December 10, 2023
It makes a HUGE difference having Broja over Jackson in the team.— Samii (@samiichels) December 10, 2023
I’ll be honest, I’m a little bit excited seeing Broja start.— Conn (@ConnCFC) December 10, 2023
One change that wasn’t so welcome was one Pochettino was forced into midway through the first half.
Once again, Chelsea captain Reece James was forced off with another hamstring, being replaced by Levi Colwill.
Chelsea fans are notably worried about the wing-back’s future career prospects with James now set for his 17th spell on the sidelines at just 24 years of age.
In the nicest way possible, how much danger is Reece James’ career in?
Just went off with a hamstring injury. This is (page one) of his injury history… pic.twitter.com/IWtj1BwtoF— Alex (@EuroExpert_) December 10, 2023
Unfortunately for neutrals, team selection and James’ injury were the only notable talking points of the opening 45 minutes.
The first half at Goodison Park, while hard fought, was rather bogged down in a midfield battle – one which Moises Caicedo was impressing in.
Moisés Caicedo is absolutely top.
Great so far today and his performances have been steadily improving. Makes me smile.— ~ (@CFCdruw) December 10, 2023
swear you will never see moises caicedo on the pitch and he somehow gets the job done, love him— ` (@chelscedes) December 10, 2023
Business thankfully began to pick up a bit at the start of the second half, with Dwight McNeil forcing Robert Sanchez into the first notable save of the game in the 50th minute.
Robert Sanchez with a *top* save on McNeil.— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) December 10, 2023
Sanchez with a fantastic save to keep out McNeil’s shot
Injured on the following corner
Good end to the first + start to the second half— Everton Optimist (@EFCOptimist) December 10, 2023
Buoyed by creating that chance, Everton stormed up the field five minutes later and took a deserved lead through Abdoulaye Doucoure.
The Mali midfielder reacted first after Sanchez made yet another brilliant save to deny Dominic Calvert-Lewin to fire the Toffees into a 1-0 lead.
doucoure under sean dyche this season pic.twitter.com/WROUOjpZRJ— BG™️ (@s1mon_gb) December 10, 2023
Abdoulaye Doucoure.
That is all. 🔵 pic.twitter.com/IpWnRgBWut— A View From The Bullens (@thebullensview) December 10, 2023
While Chelsea were expected to spark into life after going behind, it didn’t really happen.
The Blues continued to look rather toothless in the final third thereafter, rarely forcing Jordan Pickford into any notable saves.
As expected, this upset Chelsea fans quite a bit…
Can someone please just burn down Chelsea football club— Janty (@CFC_Janty) December 10, 2023
Football & Chelsea used to be an escape from reality. Now I use reality to escape Chelsea. This is depressing— Jonty (@CarefreeJonty) December 10, 2023
Things went from bad to worse for Chelsea in the final ten minutes of the game when their starting goalkeeper Robert Sanchez hobbled off with an injury.
Bad to worse for Chelsea, goalkeeper Robert Sanchez is replaced by Djordje Petrovic making his first appearance for the club. #CFC #EFC— Shamoon Hafez (@ShamoonHafez) December 10, 2023
ROBERT SANCHEZ PICKS UP AN INJURY!!!! YOU’RE IN TROUBLE,CHELSEA!!!!! pic.twitter.com/zg8XRJ6moN— Derek_S04 (@footie_junkie_) December 10, 2023
And then it went from worse to the absolute worst in the 92nd minute when youngster Lewis Dobbin made it 2-0 to Everton.
The 20-year-old scored his first ever Premier League goal to condemn the visitors to their seventh defeat of the season already, thumping a low volley into the bottom right corner of the net.
Cue the Chelsea meltdown on X…
Was there genuinely any Chelsea fan out there that didn’t see this result coming? #CFC— Olivia Buzaglo (@OliviaBuzaglo) December 10, 2023
Yet another Chelsea performance which leaves me thinking about what Didier Drogba said back in April. “I no longer recognise my club.”— Mark Worrall (@gate17marco) December 10, 2023
This is my last time watching Chelsea match under Pochettino.— LERRY (@_AsiwajuLerry) December 10, 2023
