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BLUE BEAUTY

Chelsea 2 Everton 1 match report: Goals from Antonio Rudiger and Willian send Blues into Carabao Cup quarter-finals

The German defender netted a superb header in the first half at Stamford Bridge, while the Brazilian winger wrapped up the victory in injury time, before Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored a consolation goal

DAVID UNSWORTH is desperate to land the manager’s job at Goodison Park but his curriculum vitae remains blank.

Instead, life after Ronald Koeman at Everton is much the same as when he was in charge.

 Antonio Rudiger scored his first Chelsea goal after he headed the Blues in front at Stamford Bridge
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Antonio Rudiger scored his first Chelsea goal after he headed the Blues in front at Stamford BridgeCredit: AFP or licensors
 The German defender celebrates after netting against Everton in the first half in the Carabao Cup
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The German defender celebrates after netting against Everton in the first half in the Carabao CupCredit: Reuters

Despite a major second half improvement and having plenty of chances, Everton continue to lack a killer touch and there will not be many teams fearing them, regardless of who they put in charge.

Instead, it was Antonio Conte – attempting to avoid the same fate as Koeman – who made it through to the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup.

Defender Antonio Rudiger, a £29million summer arrival from Roma, scored his first club goal since a 3-0 win over Chievo in Serie A in May 2016.

And so Unsworth, in his second spell as caretaker manager, will now prepare for Sunday’s trip to Leicester to face the team who have snubbed British coaches to appoint the human dynamo which is Claude Puel.

 Former Leicester City midfielder Danny Drinkwater made his first appearance for Chelsea after being hampered by injuries
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Former Leicester City midfielder Danny Drinkwater made his first appearance for Chelsea after being hampered by injuriesCredit: Reuters
 Ethan Ampadu, 17, started for the West London side against the Toffees for his second appearance of the season
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Ethan Ampadu, 17, started for the West London side against the Toffees for his second appearance of the seasonCredit: AFP or licensors

Despite Sean Dyche rightly having a chance on Merseyside, it seems Everton – who are looking at the likes of Carlo Ancelotti – will go the same way in terms of an overseas coach.

Whatever they managed in west London – and they did deserve a bit more – you have to wonder whether it would have helped Unsworth. A half-time team talk certainly made a difference as Everton were the superior team.

Due to his keenness to impress the club’s owners, it was no surprise that Unsowrth went with a strong side. He made five changes to the team that lost to Arsenal 5-2, the result which tipped Koeman over the edge.

Teenager Beni Baningime filled in for Idrissa Gueye for his debut. There was also a first start to the season in midfielder for James McCarthy while Aaron Lennon – despite having featured as a sub – started a game for the first time since his personal problems last season.

In contrast to Everton’s approach, Rudiger and Gary Cahill were the only survivors from Chelsea's 4-2 win over Watford.

Danny Drinkwater, fit again after a groin problem, made his debut since arriving from Leicester for £35million and as you would expect, looked a bit rusty. It was no great surprise when he was substituted for Cesc Fabregas in the 62nd minute.

Midfielder Ethan Ampadu made an encouraging his first start after joining from Exeter and appears to go to the same hair salon as David Luiz.

The first effort on goal – and that took 13 minutes – came courtesy of Rudiger. Yet it was spectacularly bad shot which sailed into the top tier of The Shed and nearly hit one of the floodlights below the roof.

Rudiger then proved he is a far better finisher with his head to open the scoring.

Charly Musonda, who has used social media to moan about his lack of chances at Chelsea, was being given a rare chance and received a short corner from Willian before sending over a far post cross to Rudiger.

Quite where the Everton defence was is a mystery, but certainly none of them were near the Chelsea centre half and he sent a looping header across Jordan Pickford’s goal and into the corner.

 Brazilian winger Willian put the Blues 2-0 up in second half injury with a fine strike into the bottom corner
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Brazilian winger Willian put the Blues 2-0 up in second half injury with a fine strike into the bottom cornerCredit: PA:Press Association
 The 29-year-old celebrates after finding the back of the net for his first gal of the season
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The 29-year-old celebrates after finding the back of the net for his first gal of the seasonCredit: AFP or licensors

Speaking of social media mistakes, Kenedy was also playing only his second competitive game for Chelsea since being sent home from a pre-season tour when he managed to offend the whole of China.

He would have liked to have done more down the left although at right wing-back, at least Davide Zappacosta showed some energy wand was not afraid to attack.

Just before the break, Zappacosta hammered the ball into the side-netting past Pickford.

Everton’s promising keeper, who was hardly under siege despite conceding the goal, continually showed he has one hell of a left foot kick on him. Equally, he could do with getting some direction on those huge whacks before they invariably go to an opposing player.

Not for the first time this season, Wayne Rooney looked isolated up front.

But he had one excellent opportunity but he hammered the ball into the chest of Willy Caballero and towards the end, was jeered by the home fans when he was subbed.

 Everton caretaker boss David Unsworth looks on in West London during the Carabao Cup clash
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Everton caretaker boss David Unsworth looks on in West London during the Carabao Cup clashCredit: AFP or licensors
 Young striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin pulled a goal back for the Toffees deep into added time
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Young striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin pulled a goal back for the Toffees deep into added timeCredit: Reuters

Chelsea’s number two keeper was guilty of an embarrassing mistake by passing the ball to Lennon but he took a poor first touch and failed to score what should have been a goal.

The former Manchester City keeper showed decent reflexes to punch clear a glancing header from Phil Jagielka and then did well to save from Kevin Mirallas.

Sub Ademola Lookman looked lively and had two decent chances  - the second one hitting the bar – but his team could not get the goal they deserved.

Chelsea were awful in the second half but with 12 minutes left, Michy Batshuayi should have scored but after forcing the ball past Pickford, was beaten to the tackle by Jagielka when he looked certain to nudge the ball into the net.

There was a bizarre end to a generally forgettable game.

 Antonio Conte and David Unsowrth embrace after the final whistle after a nervy end to the match
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Antonio Conte and David Unsowrth embrace after the final whistle after a nervy end to the matchCredit: AFP or licensors

Two minutes into injury time, Willian played the ball inside to Fabregas who delivered a fantastic touch into the past of the Brazilian - and he shot across the goal and into the net via a post.

Yet Everton finally got a goal 60 seconds later, even though it was too late.

Oumar Niasse showed some guts by blundering his way past Rudiger and Cahill.

The ball then fell for Dominic Calvert-Lewin who steered the ball past a wrong-footed Caballero.

Had that goal levelled the tie and sent it to extra-time, you would have fancied Everton.

Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata goes out for a meal and thanks people for their birthday wishes in three languages
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