Everton FC 1 Chelsea 0 – Match Report – Click Liverpool

It was over six hours in the making, but Everton’s first Premier League win under Roberto Martinez was more than worth the wait.

With Merseyside now boasting the only two clubs with unbeaten domestic starts, Jose Mourinho is discovering a rare sensation. Previously accustomed to victories against the Blues, and here at Goodison Park, the self-styled Special One may find this latest concept somewhat alien.

Had Chelsea not been so profligate in front of goal, largely through Andre Schurrle and Samuel Eto’o, Martinez’s pass-intense approach may have finally proved to Everton’s detriment before birthday boy Steven Naismith’s header on the stroke of half time proved the turning point.

“It wasn’t the perfect performance from our point of view but we showed character and all the attributes needed to be a winning side,” admitted Martinez.

“We gave away two or three chances from not keeping the ball well enough but the way we reacted, took responsibility and defended was immense.

“Throughout the game, I thought we always carried a threat. Chelsea are a team that are well recognised for their defensive strength but I thought we were unfortunate not to score more than one goal. It was one of those performances as a manager where you couldn’t be prouder.”

Eto’o’s enthusiasm in his Premier League debut belied his 32 years but also his wealth of experience at the highest level. First night nerves got the better of the striker as his sum efforts on target was limited to a chested effort that failed to trouble Tim Howard.

Everton’s evolution under Martinez has been roundly commended but they were forced to rely on the defensive steel that became commonplace under his predecessor, David Moyes, to see them through as the Spaniard recorded his first league victory in the Goodison hot seat.

Integrity, class and style was how Martinez reflected on Everton’s transfer business in his programme notes and nowhere more was that embodied than in the performance of Gareth Barry.

One of three deadline day arrivals, the on-loan Manchester City midfielder left a firm impression on his Goodison bow with a series of blocks, notably a last-ditch tackle to deny Eto’o his best chance to break the deadlock after an almost fatal error by Howard, will live long in the memory.

“I’ve been a big admirer of Gareth over the years. I think that no Englishman plays that role as well. I think Gareth is very unique,” said Martinez.

“That profile of midfielder doesn’t exist in English football. You always get a lot of foreign players coming in and playing that role really well. But Gareth Barry is something else.

“He senses danger like nobody. He gives you great composure, he’s full of good decisions, he establishes good relationships all over the park. And then you see a player like him who he hasn’t played any minutes officially this season and he shows that fitness level.

“It shows you that he’s a pristine professional, that he works really well and I think he’s going to be an incredible influence to James McCarthy and Ross Barkley as youngsters. He’s going to be the perfect guidance for the future.”

Fresh from his international exploits, Barkley continued to demonstrate the remarkable drive that has already seen him lauded as one of this season’s success stories and proved a key catalyst throughout, first as he released Naismith before Nikica Jelavic headed tamely at Petr Cech.

But it was not until the stroke of half time that Everton ultimately prospered. Again the architect, Barkley worked in tandem with Leon Osman before Jelavic’s far post header allowed Naismith to steal in ahead of Cech and deliver what would prove to be the decisive goal.

Galvanised, Everton dictated play far more comfortably in the second half but Chelsea’s lack of finesse averted a potential onslaught shortly after the interval as a Ramires pass allowed Schurrle to draw Howard but his clipped effort only rippled the outside of the Park End net.

Mourinho later sent on Oscar, Fernando Torres and Frank Lampard, so often the scourge of the Toffees, but it proved to little avail as Chelsea continued to endure a frustrating evening.

Denied Romelu Lukaku by ineligibility and Arouna Kone through injury, Martinez’s decision to allow Kevin Mirallas to lead the line, as McCarthy replaced Jelavic, was inspired.

It not only offered a fresh attacking dimension but also saw the Belgian attacker resemble his former self as he tested Cech from close range during the final stages before Leighton Baines’ free kick clipped the crossbar.

Goodison rocked at the final whistle. Less than perfect, perhaps, but Everton’s season has finally begun.

EVERTON (4-2-3-1): Howard; Coleman, Jagielka, Distin, Baines; Barry, Osman; Mirallas (Deulofeu 90), Barkley, Naismith (Stones 89); Jelavic (McCarthy 66). Subs not used: Robles, Heitinga, Oviedo, Gueye

Goals: Naismith (45)

CHELSEA (4-2-3-1): Cech; Ivanovic, Terry, Luiz, Cole (Torres 6(; Ramires, Mikel; Schurrle (Lampard 57), Hazard, Mata (Oscar 57); Eto’o. Subs not used: Schwarzer, Essien, Cahill, De Bruyne

Booked: Ivanovic, Hazard, Luiz, Mikel

Referee: H Webb (South Yorkshire) Attendance: 36,034

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