In this series, I review my in-ground experiences throughout the season, this time for Everton away. It’s split into two sections, one for home games and the other for away games. I go through various topics from atmosphere to match review and what you didn’t hear or see on television, as well as giving my thoughts on the match-day experience at the stadium I visit.
Journey to the game: Everton away at Goodison Park
This was just my first away day of the season as a Chelsea fan – last game attended was the 1-1 home draw to Liverpool at start of season, with Manchester United’s 4-1 drubbing against Lampard’s Chelsea towards of end last season being the last away game I had attended.
Having gone to Goodison Park last season and the season before, the route was again, fairly straightforward. A two hour drive from Wakefield to Liverpool, parking at a pay and display which was a 20 minute walk from the stadium.
Although I arrived at the ground a couple hours prior to kick off, the excitement levels weirdly went up once I saw the team lineup which gave me hope that we’d be able to get at least a draw.
Where do you stand on Mauricio Pochettino?#CFCSocial | #CFC pic.twitter.com/B5pbERYw1J
— The Chelsea Social (@TheChelsSocial) December 11, 2023
Stadium Summary
As stated in my piece from last season’s trip to Everton, I much prefer the ‘traditional’ and ‘older’ type of stadiums which we are beginning to see less of in the Premier League with clubs preparing for modern and much bigger stadiums. The best away days I’ve had have come from trips to Villa Park, King Power, Old Trafford etc where all stadiums similarly share that feeling of tradition and classic touch where the concourse tends to be tightly packed, pitch being close to fans etc.
The concourse this time was still lively, despite the cagey and toxic atmosphere which came through, during the match. New chants for Cole Palmer and Benoit Badiashile were sung and heard.
Moving onto my seat, it was a very nice view where I was able to get a good angle of both ends. Sat in the Upper Tier, whereas my previous two trips to Everton were in the lower, but not really much of a difference as I still felt close to the pitch, with the atmosphere being just as good. Well, until the second half anyway…
Despite the current state of the club and with difficulties many are experiencing with the VWR (virtual waiting room), I was expecting the atmosphere to be mostly flat. However, that certainly wasn’t the case in my experience even despite sitting in the Upper Tier where the Chelsea fans were making noise. But when aren’t the Chelsea boys ever making noise on away days?
Everton 2-0 Chelsea: Match Review & My Thoughts
It was an average first half performance considering what we’ve been used to throughout the season, where I felt we didn’t really create much but didn’t look like really conceding either. The lineup before the game filled me with hope as I felt it was much needed for Mauricio Pochettino to drop Thiago Silva and Raheem Sterling. Having quicker centre-backs in Badiashile and Axel Disasi certainly allowed the team to push up without fearing balls over the top on the counter, which our defence dealt really well with when the time inevitably came to deal with them.
There wasn’t much to really talk about in first half with our only real chances coming from Palmer and Enzo Fernandez who both had attempts saved. The second half was where the game started to really open up and again, our problems started to show. Rob Sanchez pulled off a good save to deny Dwight McNeil’s attempt on edge of the box but soon after that, followed Everton’s first goal from Abdoulaye Doucoure which I felt was a soft goal. Levi Colwill could’ve stepped out to attempt block the shot but didn’t and Sanchez was in no man’s land.
Their second which came after Djordje Petrovic had come on for the injured Robert Sanchez as Lewis Dobbin slotted home to put the seal on three points in which, they didn’t really have to work that hard for. Everton were in first gear against Newcastle midweek and I thought the fatigue of some of their players showed, as expected. But we just weren’t able to capitalise on that, despite our qualitative superiority.
Performances and results like these have been the norm for Chelsea fans, especially since the departure of Thomas Tuchel where the club, quite simply put, just hasn’t been the same. What’s extremely alarming for me, beyond the inexperience in attack, is the lack of structure within the team in-possession. Our attacks all feel off-the-cuff and Moises Caicedo/Enzo certainly aren’t being utilised to the best of their abilities.
Things you don’t see or hear on TV
Chants for Palmer and Badiashile were heard throughout the game with both players seemingly putting in a decent performance.
The frustration from the fans however, was quickly evident and what feels like a ever-growing build-up of annoyance at the players and coaching staff. Only in the fifth minute where a fan was shouting abuse at Mykhailo Mudryk and almost got into a fight with another Chelsea fan until the stewards stepped in. There was a massive sigh of frustration when Reece James went off injured, with some shouting for him to be sold, which is maybe a little-over-the-top at this stage.
Fans behind me were shouting “Just f*cking pass it to Mudryk”, when Colwill was on the ball with Mudryk high and wide positioned well to receive the ball and run at the defence. As well as a lot of abuse at the referee, Michael Oliver, when he booked Cole Palmer for diving.
Everton 2-0 Chelsea reaction with Jam
— The Chelsea Social (@TheChelsSocial) December 10, 2023
Rant 😡pic.twitter.com/QQyUzHFZQC
A lot of what I saw and heard throughout the game is what I and many others have been used to, with build-up all throughout the season and last where we create a few chances but don’t take them and then concede sloppy goals. Even Sterling who came on as a substitute to make an impact, was catching heaps of abuse when stood still on attacks and in-transition.
The atmosphere wasn’t great in second half with a flurry of Chelsea fans leaving as soon as the second goal went in. The worrying thing is the fact that the atmosphere was apparently more toxic earlier midweek against Manchester Utd. I’m just glad I wasn’t there…
Written by Vikram Jajuha (@CFCVIK)
Edited by Harrison Burridge (@hburridge2)
Follow us on: