THE MAN BEHIND CHELSEA FC DEFEAT

Steven Naismith

Steven Naismith struck a brilliant hat trick as stuttering Premier League champions Chelsea crashed to a 3-1 defeat at Everton.

Naismith, a ninth-minute replacement for the injured Muhamed Besic, scored twice within moments of coming on as Everton turned up the heat on Jose Mourinho's out-of-form side.

Nemanja Matic pulled one back with a fine strike before half-time at Goodison Park but Naismith rewarded the hard-working Toffees by completing his treble after 82 minutes.

It was the first time a Mourinho Chelsea side had conceded a hat trick and the result left them with just four points from five games.

Further frustration for Mourinho was that John Stones, the England centre-half he tried so hard to buy over the summer, was outstanding in Everton's back four.

The hosts' afternoon actually began badly as Besic, making his first Premier League appearance of the season, was hurt in an early challenge by Kurt Zouma.

His misfortune proved a blessing in disguise for Everton, however, as his replacement Naismith ran the Londoners ragged.

There was an early warning for the visitors as Naismith went close to getting on the end of a dangerous Seamus Coleman cross.

That was not heeded as Naismith was allowed to turn after 17 minutes, feed Brendan Galloway on the left and then get in the box to head home a return cross.

It could have got considerably worse for Chelsea but goalkeeper Asmir Begovic, in for the injured Thibaut Courtois, brilliantly saved from an Arouna Kone header and a long-range James McCarthy strike.

But Everton kept attacking and gained further reward when Naismith found the target with a powerful effort from distance.

Chelsea were rocking and there were possible signs of frustration as Coleman caught a stray arm from Diego Costa in the face.

The champions did eventually start to settle and play some neat football up to the Everton box.

 

I am the champion, the players are the champions. The way they are playing is not so bad as the results.

I don’t think think there is a better manager than me to come to Chelsea and to do my job. That’s as simple as that. I’m the man for the job.

I’m the man that gave so many good things for Chelsea. I’m the man.