Cyprus Mail
FootballPremier LeagueSport

Jorginho penalty earns Chelsea narrow opening-day win at Everton

premier league everton v chelsea
Joringho has scored 20 goals for Chelsea, with 18 coming from the penalty spot

A first-half penalty from Italy midfielder Jorginho was enough to earn Chelsea a 1-0 win at Everton on Saturday to get their new Premier League campaign off to a positive start.

Chelsea peppered the home goal with 13 corners in the first half but looked set to be frustrated as the interval approached, only for Jorginho to convert from the spot after Ben Chilwell has been fouled to give the visitors the lead.

It was redemption for Italy midfielder Jorginho, who saw his penalty saved by Everton and England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford during the Euro 2020 final last July.

A brilliant save from Edouard Mendy early in the second half to deny Abdoulaye Doucoure preserved Chelsea’s advantage, and that was as good as it got for a disappointing Everton, who only survived relegation by the skin of their teeth last term.

England forward Raheem Sterling could have marked an impressive debut with a late second but saw his close-range effort deflected just wide.

It mattered little as Chelsea, following a close season of upheaval after the sale of the club to an investment group led by LA Dodgers part-owner Todd Boehly, saw out the three points with ease.

“A win is a win, that is what we play for,” Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel said. “It is important to build confidence and belief now. We are open for improvement and criticism, but there are good things to take away.

“We got three points, we got a clean sheet. From here we go. We did not take the risks we normally do in the last 25 metres.”

Coach Frank Lampard called for better from his Everton team this term in his pre-match programme notes, but a woeful pass from Ben Godfrey saw him forced off injured having made a last-ditch recovery tackle after just 15 minutes.

Everton later confirmed that Godfrey had been taken to hospital as a result of a lower leg injury.

Mason Mount had Chelsea’s first effort at goal moments later, with Pickford forced into a fine save.

Sterling did have the ball in the net towards the end of the opening period, but he was correctly flagged offside.

A lengthy first-half stoppage time ensued as a result of Godfrey’s injury, and in the ninth minute added on, Jorginho netted what proved to be the winner following Doucoure’s clumsy tackle. It means 18 of Jorginho’s 20 Premier League goals have come from the penalty spot.

The second half was a cagey affair of few chances, with Everton lacking the necessary quality, especially in attacking areas, as they slipped to their first opening-day defeat since 2011-12.

“I thought we played well against a tough opponent,” Lampard told the BBC. “I thought the penalty was the only difference between the teams.

“One tiny lack of focus and they got their goal. I felt a draw would be a fair result.”

Follow the Cyprus Mail on Google News

Related Posts

Boat Race rowers told to avoid the water as UK sewage dumping surges

Reuters News Service

Qualification complete for Uefa U-17 championship in Cyprus

Tom Cleaver

F1 stars used IAME power on their way to the top

Press Release

Liverpool, Man Utd launch programme to combat tragedy-related abuse

Reuters News Service

Prosecutor seeks jail term for Spain’s Rubiales over kiss

Reuters News Service

Kane to return to Spurs in pre-season friendly v Bayern

Reuters News Service