Beto's Brace: The Blues Are Broken, Not Just Bruised
You know what you saw at Goodison Park on Sunday. You saw a Chelsea side that looked utterly lost, disheveled, and frankly, a bit pathetic. And you saw an Everton team, battling relegation just last season, absolutely dismantle them 3-0. This wasn't some lucky deflection or a fluky penalty. This was a proper hammering, with Beto bagging a brace and Dwight McNeil adding another for good measure in the 90th minute.
Real talk: Mauricio Pochettino's squad looks like a collection of expensive parts that don't fit together. Enzo Fernández, a £106.8 million midfielder, was anonymous for long stretches. Raheem Sterling, once a terror on the wing, looks like a shadow of himself. They had 72% possession, according to Opta, and did absolutely nothing with it. Zero. That’s not just poor finishing; that’s a deep-seated tactical issue. They managed just three shots on target the entire game, despite their overwhelming share of the ball.
**Beto's Arrival and Chelsea's Disarray**
Look, Beto needed a day like this. He’s been a workhorse since arriving from Udinese for a reported £25 million, but the goals hadn't quite flowed. Before Sunday, his last Premier League goal came against Sheffield United way back on September 2. To put two past a team like Chelsea, even this version of Chelsea, is a massive confidence booster for the big man. He became the first Everton player to score more than once in a single game this season, a stat that tells you everything about their previous struggles in front of goal. His first, a powerful header in the 54th minute, set the tone. His second, an opportunistic tap-in after a scramble in the box, sealed it.
Thing is, Chelsea’s problems run much deeper than one bad afternoon. This isn't just about their Champions League exit earlier in the week; this is about a club that's spent over a billion dollars since Todd Boehly took over and has absolutely nothing to show for it. They're sitting 12th in the table, a staggering 18 points off the top four. The investment simply isn't translating to on-field performance. Cole Palmer has been a bright spot, sure, but one player can't carry this entire load.
And let’s be honest, Sean Dyche deserves immense credit. He’s got Everton playing with a grit and determination that was sorely missing under Frank Lampard. They defended valiantly, holding Chelsea to just those three shots on target, and hit them hard on the counter. James Tarkowski and Jarrad Branthwaite were immense at the back, winning aerial duel after aerial duel. Goodison Park was rocking, and the fans fed off that energy. This wasn't a fluke; this was a well-executed plan.
Here’s the thing: Chelsea’s struggles are going to continue. They don't have a clear identity, and Pochettino looks like he's already run out of answers. The pressure on him must be immense, especially after their 4-1 drubbing by Newcastle the previous weekend. I don't see them finishing higher than eighth this season.
**The Toffees' Rebound**
This result for Everton is huge. It moves them to 10th in the table, a position that seemed unthinkable a few weeks ago given their point deduction. Dyche has instilled a fight in this squad that's palpable. Abdoulaye Doucouré, another under-the-radar signing, was everywhere in midfield, winning balls and driving forward. This win wasn't just three points; it was a statement. It showed they belong in this league, and they can hurt big teams.
My bold prediction? Beto uses this performance as a springboard. He finishes the season with at least 12 Premier League goals, becoming a cult hero on Merseyside.