It had so far been a bruising December for Chelsea .

Four games without victory had ensured the sky-high confidence from so ruthlessly putting Barcelona to the sword quickly dissipated, replaced by a pessimism for how closely they are realistically going to push Arsenal and Manchester City this season.

So a professional and largely uneventful 2-0 home win against Everton — sitting seventh heading into the game, just two places below the Blues — was just what the doctor ordered.

Everton had not beaten Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in any of their last 30 attempts, yet had won four of their last five in the league this season and were on a high under David Moyes.

Goals from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto had the beating of Moyes’s side, much to the relief of Enzo Maresca .

A return t

See Full Page