Chelsea Player Ratings vs Everton: Cole Palmer Fades as Robert Sanchez Saves the Day in Stalemate at Goodison Park
Chelsea were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw against Everton at Goodison Park, with a lackluster performance from Cole Palmer overshadowed by an impressive display from goalkeeper Robert Sanchez.
Match Recap
Despite dominating possession, Chelsea failed to break down a resolute Everton defense on Sunday. Manager Enzo Maresca’s side struggled in the final third, with in-form forward Cole Palmer delivering a surprisingly anonymous performance.
The Blues’ best chance came in the 30th minute when Nicolas Jackson headed a superb corner delivery against the post from close range. While the ball came at him quickly, the miss proved costly. Moments later, Jordan Pickford’s tackle on Malo Gusto sparked penalty appeals, but VAR dismissed the claims.
Everton, meanwhile, threatened on the counter and forced an outstanding save from Robert Sanchez just before half-time, with the Spaniard diving low to stop a powerful 20-yard effort.
Key Performances
• Robert Sanchez - 8/10: A standout for Chelsea, Sanchez made crucial saves to keep the score level and spared the Blues from an embarrassing loss.
• Cole Palmer - 4/10: A disappointing outing for the England international, who failed to impact the game and appeared out of sync with his teammates.
• Nicolas Jackson - 5/10: Worked hard but will rue his missed header that could have given Chelsea the lead.
The Bigger Picture
The draw leaves Chelsea frustrated as their inconsistency in front of goal continues to cost them points. Everton, under Sean Dyche, showcased defensive resilience and were content to settle for a share of the spoils against a misfiring Chelsea side.
