FA Cup – What We Learned – Everton 2 Chelsea 0

FA Cup – What We Learned – Everton 2 Chelsea 0

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Everton sent Chelsea crashing out of a second competition in less than a week with a 2-0 FA Cup victory at Goodison Park last night.

A brace from Romelu Lukaku sealed the Toffees progression into the Semi-finals of the tournament, although the match itself was overshadowed by red cards on both sides and what initially looked to have been a bite from Diego Costa on Gareth Barry.

Tom Cleverly had the best chances at Thibaut Courtois as the hosts struggled for early momentum, while Willian forced a diving save from Joel Robles with a trademark free-kick in the minutes before halftime.

The Londoners came agonisingly close to taking the lead after the restart when Cesc Fabregas found Costa, though even after beating the goalkeeper his shot went along the length of the goal line. It would be the growing confidence of Everton and specifically Lukaku that would undo the reigning domestic champions, receiving the ball on the wing and making four Chelsea defenders look like schoolboys before hitting the net.

An overturned throw-in from the visitors would lead to the Belgian adding a second with another sublime finish, yet the story was far from over. A lunging challenge from Barry on Costa in the 84th minute incensed the striker, who immediately followed up with an aggressive clashing of heads before leaning into the neck of the Everton midfielder and appearing to take a bite. It was enough for a second yellow card for Costa and while Barry too was given his marching orders before the end, there was no fight left in the shambolic Chelsea side.


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What to do with a case like Costa?

It never takes a lot of effort for an opposition player to get a reaction from the polarising Spaniard, yet he appeared to have crossed the line from what some could justify as ‘on-field antics’ in his late altercation with Barry. Many have alleged that Costa bit the Everton defender on the neck in the 84th minute, yet in the time since the game a statement from Barry confirms that indeed this was not the case and many nerves around Stamford Bridge would no doubt have been calmed down.

Kept under wraps by Everton’s equally physical centre-backs, the intensity was there from the outset and Costa’s temperament grew with each battle against a man in blue, yet that pass into the six-yard box that he thrives on only came on the rare occasion.

Slim hope provided for Toffees

Having lost much of their momentum since the New Year to now sit in twelfth spot, Roberto Martinez may have been the next Premier League manager under pressure had his side not risen to the challenge. Commanding the space out-wide, Everton was able to halt any immediate danger coming into the box, while also keeping the likes of Willian and Eden Hazard on the fringes of the final-third.

The array of talent inside the Merseyside squad has not fully connected in recent weeks, but a spot in the FA Cup’s final four leaves Martinez with the slightest of chances to still qualify for a European competition.

Hiddink honeymoon finally ends

Revitalised was a term many were using to describe Chelsea since Guus Hiddink took over once more as a caretaker, however, it has only taken four days for their 2015-16 season to pass away with a relative whimper. The wheels have come off again due to the same problems – a porous back four and a midfield combination where Willian seems to be the only one putting in effort.

Out of the Champions League, the FA Cup and sitting tenth in the Premier League, fans are calling for an overhaul of the squad – yet attracting supreme talent and a high-profile manager will surely be difficult come the end of May.

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