5 talking points: Everton 3-1 Chelsea

Chelsea have started the season with 3 losses in 5 games, the most recent one coming in the 3-1 drubbing at Goodison Park. While Everton have had a relatively much better beginning gathering 8 points from 5 games. There was more spice coming into this game as both teams were embroiled in a very much public transfer saga for defender John Stones.The result will be a welcome one for Roberto Martinez as it gives his team not only 3 points but the win against English champions of last season as a bit of a morale booster for his men. While the same result leaves Jose Mourinho with a lot to ponder as they could end the weekend 11 points from the top of the table a gap that’s already looking unsurmountable as Manchester City look in imperious form.As every game passes, pieces fall into place indicating how the season is going to play out for each team. This one had some takeaways for both sides as well.Here are 5 talking points from Everton’s 3-1 win over Chelsea:

#1 Naismith\'s perfect hattrick

Everton started the game without Steven Naismith but an early injury to Muhamed Besic forced Everton manager Roberto Martinez to replace the Bosnia international with the Scot and it would be a blessing in disguise for the home team.

The Toffees who were largely happy with conceding possession to Chelsea early on were brought to life by the forward. He wreaked havoc on the Chelsea defence scoring 2 goals in 5 minutes before Nemanja Matic could steal one back for the Blues but it would be their only saving grace on the night.

Naismith, having scored with his head and left foot in the first half, made it three as the game was in its final 20 minutes to score his hattrick. He also scored it with his right foot making it a perfect hattrick.

His splendid performance will surely put him in the mix for selection as Roberto Martinez looks forward towards his next few games after almost having sold the hattrick hero during the recent transfer window.

#2 Chelsea\'s defensive issues

It’s no secret that Chelsea’s defence has been leaky since the start of this season. They have failed to keep a clean sheet in the last 9 Premier league games. The Blues have conceded 12 goals so far in 5 games, a tally that they took 15 games to reach last season. It’s been a start unlike the Londoners typical strong ones especially including their loss against Crystal Palace at home.

The right side of Chelsea’s backline has looked incredibly exposed with the likes of Bolasie and Montero taking advantage of Branislav Ivanovic’s lack of pace so far this season. The likes of John Terry and Nemanja Matic have been ineffective so far in the games they’ve played, failing to stamp their authority on the game as they did last year.

The defending champions missed out on John Stones in the summer along with some other defensive options and in a puzzling move signed a largely unknown quantity in Papy Djilobodji. While, their lack of transfer activity could have been excused if the performances justified it, Mourinho’s side have done neither right so far. Now, it will be up to the Portuguese tactician to think his team out of this one.

#3 Missing midfield Blues

A midfield pivot of Nemanja Matic and Cesc Fabregas that worked so well last season has gone completely missing for the Londoners. On the day, John Obi Mikel featured alongside Matic to provide more defensive stability but the tactic got shot to hell by the Scottish Steven Naismith’s antics on the day.

But the fact still remains for the Chelsea boss that his midfield isn’t firing on all cylinders and with Oscar missing through injury his options for replacements are largely rooted in youth players. Something that Jose hasn’t gained a reputation for in the past.

Cesc Fàbregas' game by numbers: 0 tackles won 0 aerial duels won 0 interceptions 0 assists 0 shots 0 crosses pic.twitter.com/vvFDQqcDXn

— Squawka Football (@Squawka) September 12, 2015

The Blues could see the likes of Ruben Loftus-Cheek step up into massive shoes and hopefully for them make a difference because these seem to be desperate times at Stamford Bridge and it could mean that the boss may resort to desperate measures to string together a set of results in their favour.

#4 Strong Everton defence, clinical attack

While Chelsea have been poor so far at the back. Roberto Martinez’s side have showed signs of forming a resolute unit in from of Tim Howard. Phil Jagielka and John Stones in the heart of their defence have out in great shifts so far despite those around them succumbing to injury.

Everton lost Leighton Baines early to injury and saw Seamus Coleman hobble off at Goodison Park against Chelsea and youngster Luke Garbutt has also seen an opportunity pass him by as he too makes it to the treatment table. Despite the shaky outlook the number of injuries have given their backline, the Toffees have persevered.

The blocks and interceptions made by the English centre-back partnership from Everton has been a major factor in Everton’s results so far. The attack too was clinical on the day against the defending champions, apart from Naismith scoring 3 from his 3 shots on target, achieving a 100% accuracy for himself, Everton also had 9 shots on target, an incredible statistic for the home side.

#5 Pressure now on Mourinho

With Chelsea staggering and failing to make it even into the top half of the table so far, the focus is firmly on their boss Jose Mourinho. Especially with the London club’s history of ruthlessly getting rid of their underperforming managers, it would come as a surprise to no one if the Portuguese manager was in the words of Everton fans “sacked in the morning”.

If the Blues are to have any sort of success this season, Mourinho is going to have to turn this season around so fast for them that it will have to leave everyone dizzy, especially as they are set to begin their European campaign soon.

The players have had some incredibly poor performances on the pitch, but the onus is on the manager to make those decisions behind the scenes that will earn him his paycheck. It remains a tale that only time will tell as all eyes will now be on the reigning champions who currently only have 4 points in 5 games.