Awful Everton offer no resistance as Chelsea run rampant

Ronald Koeman was at a loss for words as to why there was such a big difference in Everton's play at Chelsea.

 

Misguided tactics from Ronald Koeman and collective apathy on the pitch saw Everton serve up a miserable performance as Chelsea coasted their way to a 5-0 hammering.
The visitors looked every inch a team without a win at Stamford Bridge in 22 years and as many league visits. On the evidence of this pitiful display, the wait is unlikely to end soon.

Positives

Nobody picked up an injury.

Negatives

Everton players contributed so little that it often took a Chelsea player running beyond them to remind you they were still on the pitch. It is widely accepted this team have improved in the meantime, but this was as bad as anything produced under Roberto Martinez.
Non-existent marking, poor positioning, carelessness in possession, minimal work rate, this had it all.
The three-man defence lasted 38 minutes at West Brom, two minutes more than it lasted here. Everton lack the players to perfect the system and this defensive experiment needs to stop.
Supporters had to wait 70 minutes for a shot as a Kevin Mirallas header drifted wide. There were no further attempts (on or off target) and the away side ended the match without a meaningful chance created or a single shot on target.
Worse still is the upcoming international break. This pathetic display is going to fester for two weeks while Everton wait to muster a response at home to Swansea.

Manager rating out of 10

3 -- Koeman's switch to a three-man defence was a tactical misfire that left the three centre-backs isolated and outmatched against three quicker and more mobile Chelsea forwards.
The Toffees boss retains some credit for early substitution trying to rescue the situation but even then, it was already too late.

Player ratings (1-10; 10=best. Players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)
GK Maarten Stekelenburg, 3 -- Chelsea's first four shots on target found the back of the net. Everton's No. 1 has to narrow the extreme gap between his stock performances, as his off days are too costly amid the game-saving ones.
DF Seamus Coleman, 4 -- Few defenders could cope with Eden Hazard in this form, but the Everton right-back would have expected to offer more resistance, especially in his attempts to prevent the opening goal.
DF Phil Jagielka, 3 -- This was a chastening afternoon for the Everton captain. Second best in his personal battle with Diego Costa and looked to be running through mud against a confident Chelsea forward line.
DF Ashley Williams, 4 -- Not at his best and found his lack of pace exposed on occasion but at least stuck to his task and two excellent blocks prevented further damage in the second half.
DF Ramiro Funes Mori, 3 -- Not helped by a lack of support when at left-back but inspired zero confidence either there or at centre-back. Hopeless positioning gifted Chelsea their second goal.
DF Bryan Oviedo, 4 -- Perhaps unfortunate to make way when Koeman reverted to a back four before half-time, as others within the defence were more culpable for the goals conceded to that point.
MF Tom Cleverley, 4 -- Pressed well earlier in the match but faded amid the onslaught. Defensive midfield is not his speciality and it was an impossible task to compensate for the absence of the suspended Idrissa Gueye.
MF Gareth Barry, 4 -- A one-match ban waits after a clumsy performance ended with a fifth booking of the season. Conceded possession almost immediately and again in the build-up to the Chelsea opener.
MF Ross Barkley, 5 -- From an attacking standpoint, Barkley, like his teammates, offered nothing. However, there was encouragement in how the midfielder never stopped working, closing down and chasing lost causes. Just about the one player who battled until the final whistle.
FW Yannick Bolasie, 3 -- Briefly threatened prior to the floodgates opening but sank without trace beyond two mistimed tackles later in the first half. One of the better players this season but this was a forgettable showing.
FW Romelu Lukaku, 3 -- On the rare occasions the ball found its way toward the isolated forward, his first touch failed him. Isolation and lack of service summed up by the fact Lukaku did not touch the ball once in the Chelsea penalty area in 90 minutes.

Substitutes

MF Kevin Mirallas, 4 -- Followed the winger's recent pattern. Commendable work ethic but none of the invention expected or required from his attacking midfield position.
MF Aaron Lennon, 4 -- Introduced in midfield but spent most of his time helping a battered defence.
MF Tom Davies, 5 -- Admittedly Chelsea had relented by this point, but the young midfielder offered more in his 24 minutes on the pitch than most of his more experienced teammates.