Goodison Park is where all the action took place along with a really impressive Lukaku-esque physically staunch pair of goals that set up the tie in favour of Everton and the infamous ‘Costa Toffee’ – a bite from Diego Costa’s daily lifestyle – into his dirty footballing tactics. In a game that saw an Everton side playing well above the standard of the Blues, here’s a look at what happened in a nutshell.
Chelsea fell to a 2-0 loss to Everton in their FA Cup quarter-final clash at Goodison Park on Saturday, with Romelu Lukaku, the ex-Chelsea man securing a double whammy netting twice.
In a game bereft of legitimate chances and entertainment, Lukaku produced the highlights of the game with a superb solo goal to break the deadlock before adding a second just minutes later to get the Toffees through to the semis of the FA Cup at a fiery Goodison Park.
The Blues were reduced to 10-men late on as Diego Costa saw red for appearing to bite his opponent Barry in what the Internet has jokingly cited as a ‘Costa Toffee’ to Gareth Barry.
Here are the player ratings:
The Best And Worst Rated Performers
Chelsea
Thibaut Courtois 6 – The Belgian couldn’t have done much on either goal with Lukaku showing great composure and a clinical edge to beat him twice.
Cesar Azpilicueta 6 – An energetic effort from the full-back as usual, but wasn’t enough from a Chelsea perspective, particularly going forward.
Gary Cahill 8 – A solid performance from the commanding centre-half, as he dealt with Lukaku for most of the game and made some timely interventions. Let himself down on the first goal, but can’t take away from a great effort overall.
Branislav Ivanovic 6 – Seemed to deal with the Everton threat well for the most part, but lost Lukaku for the second goal and the Belgian striker made the most of the opportunity to kill the tie.
Kenedy 6 – Looked incredibly lively, but lost way eventually, it wasn’t the most influential of performances as he came up against a solid Seamus Coleman.
Mikel 6 – Hard work in middle in first half, but tailed off. Another tidy display from the combative midfielder, as the two sides cancelled each other for most of the game with neither being able to gain a foothold.
Matic 7 – Competed well and offered platform, not his day. Similar to Mikel in that he did relatively well in the midfield battle to ensure that Chelsea weren’t overrun, but ultimately it wasn’t enough.
Pedro 6 – Didn’t ever really get into game and looked timid. It was a disappointing evening for the Spaniard based on his usual high standards.
Willian 6 – Was always looking to make something happen, and although he was unfortunate not to find a way through with his free-kick in the first half, the Brazilian will produce a more decisive contribution in future outings.
Cesc Fabregas 6 – The creative midfielder was at the heart of some of his side’s best moves as he tried to find a way through a stubborn Everton backline, but was unsuccessful on this occasion.
Diego Costa 5 – Came closest to a goal for Chelsea with a shot along the goal-line but booked early on and shown a second yellow for senseless retaliation against Barry.
Substitutes:
Oscar (for Willian, 73) 5 – Came on just in time for Everton’s match-winning spell.
Loic Remy (for Matic, 82) 5 – No chance to pull Chelsea back into it.
John Terry (for Kenedy, 85) 5 – One piece of good news for Chelsea was the captain’s return from injury.
Everton
Robles 7 – Didn’t put a foot wrong, and a couple of decent stops
Coleman 7 – Amazing energy down the right flank, important role
Jagielka 8 – Booked. True leader at heart of defence to set tone
Funes Mori 6 – Backed up his skipper well, and growing into role
Baines 7 – Brilliant comeback after spell out, looked so assured
McCarthy 8 – Ran the middle of park, played huge part in win
Barry 6 – Sent off. Handled Costa so well, but saw red
Lennon 8 – So much energy at both ends of pitch, transformed
Barkley 6 – Quieter game, but some real moments of pure class
Cleverley 6 – Worked hard to link play, without ever shining
Lukaku 9 – Sometimes he’s simply unplayable, simply outstanding
Substitutes:
Stones (Lennon 88)
Besic (Barkley 90)
Niasse (Lukaku 90)
MAN OF THE MATCH: Romelu Lukaku
Lukaku’s delight over Everton’s qualification gave way for a title-deprived dejected Chelsea this 15-16 Season. Ending Guus Hiddink’s brilliant run of play, it was the Toffees who wheeled away the car of success driving out the Blues in an uneventful away QF.