Neto scores twice as Chelsea beats Everton 2-0

Chelsea's Portuguese midfielder Pedro Neto celebrated with his teammates after scoring their second goal in the English Premier League match against Everton at Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool on October 17, 2026. (Photo by PETER POWELL / AFP)

Pedro Neto’s two goals handed Everton their first defeat of the season as Chelsea won 2-0 at Hill Dickinson Stadium. This victory came despite Chelsea losing goalkeeper Emi Martinez to a head injury during the game.

Neto scored the first goal just one minute into the second half. He secured the win with another goal during the 11 added minutes after Martinez received treatment on the pitch.

Martinez was involved in a serious head collision with Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite and had to be taken to the hospital.

This win moved Chelsea above Everton into the top four of the Premier League.

After a slow start, the match became intense when Everton midfielder Harrison Armstrong tackled Josh Acheampong, leading to the first of five yellow cards in the first half.

That tackle fired up the home crowd and pushed Everton to their best moment in the game. Thierno Barry missed a good chance when he headed Jack Grealish’s cross too close to Martinez.

Chelsea usually starts fast under coach Xabi Alonso, but it took until four minutes before half-time for them to threaten. Moises Caicedo hit the crossbar from a well-executed corner.

Everton were upset that Morgan Rogers did not receive a second yellow card just before half-time after a heavy clash with his England teammate James Garner.

This decision would prove significant as Chelsea came out strong at the start of the second half. Jorrel Hato got to the byline, and his low cross found Neto, who controlled the ball and fired it low past Pickford.

Chelsea had not kept a clean sheet in the Premier League for 22 matches since January. But they were not troubled much by an Everton side lacking attacking options, even with Martinez off the pitch.

The delay for the goalkeeper’s treatment almost interrupted Chelsea’s momentum as they took control of the second half. Belgian Mike Penders replaced Martinez for his first Premier League match but only had to deal with a few desperate crosses from Everton.

At the other end, Pickford made a great save to deny Joao Pedro. But Chelsea managed to score their second goal when Neto calmly slotted the ball into the bottom corner after a blocked free-kick from Jordan Henderson.