Carlo Ancelotti was expecting a memorable return to Stamford Bridge – and ended up suffering a humiliation he will never forget.
Chelsea were sensational, it was arguably their best performance of the season, but definitely the lowest point of Ancelotti’s three-month reign as Everton boss.
Everton were so bad their fans started leaving after the fourth goal went in after 54 minutes and, believe it or not, if it had not been for Jordan Pickford then the scoreline would have been even worse.
That should not detract from Chelsea’s brilliance because they were rampant, full of energy and movement, epitomised by some terrific individual performances.
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Ross Barkley against his old club, teenager Billy Gilmour outstanding on his first Premier League start, while Mason Mount, Pedro, Willian and Olivier Giroud shared the goals about.
This was a statement of victory by Chelsea, a performance which says they are strong enough and good enough to finish in the top four and will get the job done.
They also threw on teenagers Faustino Anjorin and Armando Broja in the closing stages for their first appearances in the Premier League and, after all, it was youth which made them so good in the first half of the season.
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Chelsea looked back to where they were as they zipped the ball about, tore Everton apart and Ancelotti’s men put up a lame surrender.
Ancelotti, who won the Double during his two years in charge at Stamford Bridge, did get a nice reception before kick off and, because of the handshake ban, a big bear hug from Frank Lampard.
But from that moment on, Lampard – just like against another of his managerial mentors Jose Mourinho – showed there is no room for sentiment as Chelsea were clearly fired up.
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Chelsea could have gone ahead early on but for Pickford’s brilliant save from Mount but the reprieve only lasted until the 14th minute when the home side went ahead.
It was an absolutely brilliant goal, too. Mount brought the ball forward, swapped passes with Pedro and then Mount took it up again, turned Everton’s Tom Davies and then buried a low shot on the turn beyond Pickford’s despairing dive.
Pickford had already made another terrific save before Chelsea got their second after 21 minutes. Gilmour, Giroud and Barkley all linked up before Pedro raced clear, kept his composure and fired a low shot past Pickford.
Chelsea looked in complete control and even when Kurt Zouma’s blip let in Richarlison, their striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin went through but fired wide.
Everton were an absolute mess. A defensive shambles, overran in midfield and pretty toothless in attack. Everton midfielder Bernard, who had taken a heavy blow, was subbed at half time for Theo Walcott.
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But there was no way back for Everton. This was a throw back to their sloppy, heartless performances under Marco Silva. Ancelotti has been getting much better out of these players but they collapsed and were shocking at the back.
The third goal came after 51 minutes when Pedro fed Barkley and his second assist of the game set up Willian to fire home from 20 yards. Willian and Pedro could both leave this summer but on this evidence, Chelsea should fight to keep them.
Three minutes later, the humiliation was complete. Willian started a short corner routine, then his deep ball into the box was completely missed by the Everton defence and there was Giroud to steer home.
Pickford denied Pedro another goal soon afterwards and at least that stemmed the tide and stopped the onslaught. But this was humiliating for Everton and a big day for Chelsea.
