Pedro Neto netted a second-half brace to guide Chelsea to a crucial away victory against Everton on Saturday at Hill Dickinson Stadium. The Portuguese winger struck twice to end the Toffees' unbeaten streak and ensure the Blues collected their very first clean sheet of the campaign.
Following an intense opening half in which Moises Caicedo rattled the crossbar with a superb first-time volley, Chelsea broke through only 43 seconds after the restart. Club-record signing Morgan Rogers helped initiate the attack down Ainsley Maitland-Niles' flank with a clever backheel, allowing Dutch defender Jorrel Hato—Chelsea's solitary change from the previous week's win—to provide the assist for Neto's opener beyond Jordan Pickford.
Everton pushed to find a response, with surprise starter Merlin Rohl registering the hosts' first attempt on goal and Jack Grealish picking out Thierno Barry with an inswinging cross for their best opportunity. However, Barry endured a frustrating match in front of goal, while Everton academy product Harrison Armstrong was called upon to clear a Maxence Lacroix header off the goal-line. The fixture also saw worrying scenes in the 74th minute when Chelsea goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez was stretchered off following a collision with Jarrad Branthwaite, handing young Belgian stopper Mike Penders his Premier League debut.
Although Joao Pedro failed to convert an 86th-minute opportunity to seal the result, Neto ensured all three points in the 90th minute. Having earlier received a caution for dissent, the winger pounced after a blocked free-kick fell straight to his feet inside the box, finishing clinically to lock in Chelsea's away triumph.