Everton 0-1 Chelsea: Jorginho first half penalty hands Blues opening day victory over Toffees at Goodison

Chelsea started their 2022-23 Premier League campaign with a 1-0 victory over Everton at Goodison Park. Raheem Sterling had a goal disallowed before Jorginho put Chelsea ahead with a penalty deep into injury time in the first half. A serious injury to Ben Godfrey earlier in the match had caused on eight-minute delay.

Ad/> In a scrappy second half the best chance fell to Abdoulaye Doucoure, who was denied an equaliser from close range by Edouard Mendy. TransfersChelsea confirm deal for Brighton defender CucurellaYESTERDAY AT 11:49 Everton will now go on to play Aston Villa on Saturday lunchtime, while Chelsea host Spurs the following day. TALKING POINT It's a big month for the Toffees.

The game tonight was a tough opening match for Everton, forced into playing the ever-game Anthony Gordon as a makeshift centre-forward as their current lack of attacking options were painfully exposed. After coming in mid-season and just about keeping Everton in the Premier League, 2022-23 is a blank canvas for Frank Lampard. Dwight McNeil and James Tarkowski were canny signings from relegated Burnley, but the loss of the talismanic Richarlison to Tottenham was noticeable today.

Everton need to reshape their attack accordingly, either through additional signings or getting more out of the mystifyingly out-of-form Dele Alli. They also need Dominic Calvert-Lewin back as soon as possible. The good news is that they won’t face another realistic top-six finisher until September; the remaining four matches in August, and the transfer window that runs alongside it, could be key in establishing an identity for Everton this season.