Everton 3-6 Chelsea : 5 talking points

Taking on Everton at Goodison Park is no mean task. Putting in 6 past them? Now that’s impressive.Chelsea had their first real big test yesterday and boy did they pass it. They went to the lion’s den and not only escaped with the points, but rather slayed it. If there was a statement they could have made in regards to their title credentials, this was it.Meanwhile for the neutrals this was a feast for the eyes as we witnessed 9 goals in one exhilarating game. Here are 5 biggest talking points from the entertainment-palooza:

#1 Diego Costa is the real deal

3 games, 6 shots on target, 4 goals. This is as simply I can put it and this how easily Costa has emerged as the early front-runner for the Golden Boot this season.

If someone was still not convinced of Diego Costa’s ability, he/she should be by now. The World Cup might have drawn out some knives from the harshest of critics, but he has put them all to bed by now.

The sheer power, strength and finishing ability of the man is a thing to behold and while the major sides of the world are ready to fork out £50million and above, forgive me if I opine that £32million for Costa seems to be well worth the hustle.

The 6’2” beast of a forward not only excels while going forward, but also puts in a shift at the back when required to help his team out.

We already were well aware of the physically dominant nature of the Spaniard, but that’s not all that he brings to the table. His combination of a high footballing IQ and nifty movement helps create the passing lanes for his midfielders and allows him to excel at this level. He is the sight for the sore eyes, the answer to all the prayers for Chelsea fans.

#2 Chelsea were real winners in the transfer market

Just before the season had begun, Chelsea appeared on the second spot of my list of the biggest winners of the transfer window. Their first three performances have so far given ample justification to my selection.

While Costa has started off with a blitzkrieg, Cesc Fabregas has taken to life at Stamford Bridge like a duck to water. Quite like Costa, the numbers speak for themselves. 4 assists in 3 games from the Spanish midfield general sees the Londoners sitting pretty at the top of the Premier League Standings.

While this wasn’t the perfect game to showcase his talents, the Spaniard still created a game-high 3 chances for his team. While that number might not impress you, you have to keep in mind that Chelsea had to play large portions of the game bereft of the ball (a mere 42% possession).

He was again at his magical best in the game, pulling apart the Everton defence with his incisive passes, especially on the counter-attack.

Mourinho’s team already boasted of one of the most impressive midfields in the league last season. Now with the addition of the Fabregas, it has gone up even another notch.

#3 A lot of positives to take for Everton

Steven Naismith of Everton celebrates scoring his team's second goal

Early season league table most often belies the true state of a team. That’s exactly what Everton are facing right now. 16th on the table with only 2 points to show in their first 3 games is not a place Roberto Martinez would have liked Everton to be in and my not so bold predictions would say that they are not going to be there for much long.

While there is never a good time to concede six goals, Martinez would be thankful that such an atrocious performance at the back only came much before we move into the business end of the season.

To be honest, Everton are not going to play this bad, and they are not going to come up against an opponent as good as Chelsea often. While the Toffees have conceded eight goals in their last two games, they have also scored five, embodying the philosophy of attacking free flowing football that Roberto Martinez preaches.

They should take heart from the performances of their brilliant full-backs, the rampaging runs of Kevin Mirallas, surprising run of form from Steven Naismith and the goal on debut for Samuel Eto’o.

If last season wasn’t evidence enough, these last couple of games has given ample proof that Everton are well equipped to go shoulder to shoulder with the big boys in the Premier League. A few clicks here and there and Everton are all set for another great season under the Spaniard.

#4 A day for the unsung heroes

Ramires of Chelsea scores his team's fifth goal

Mourinho has had trial run last season. This season is where he has to show his true championship mettle (again). Meanwhile, the large outlay on player recruitment and last season’s sixth place finish can mean only one thing at Goodison Park: aim even higher and get into the Champions League spots.

These clubs can claim to have such aspiration not only because they have some superstars (now that’s also a huge reason), but also because of the depth in their squad that is filled with unsung heroes. They have the Robins who can step up to the plate and deliver on the day the Batmans of the team were too sick to take calls. Two such great examples from this game were Steven Naismith and Ramires.

Naismith has hit the ground running this season, scoring 3 goals in the opening three games (and providing great value for you FPL crazy people), outplaying even the £28million man Romelu Lukaku during this initial phase of the season.

Ramires, meanwhile, is a true team player. Stepping in for the ill Oscar, Ramires didn’t let the Blues feel his absence. On the contrary his performance was far superior to anything that his fellow countryman had dished up in the opening couple of games for Londoners.

He ended the game with two assists and Chelsea’s fifth goal of the game which put the final nail in the Everton coffin.

#5 A gentle reminder of why the Premier League rules supreme above all

EPL — The Premier League is back in full flow and we love it.

The game embodied what this league is all about. Fast and furious action at both ends of the pitch and bucket load of goals.

It also reminded us how there is no “big two/three” at the top when it comes to the Premier League. There is a “big game” literally every week in this league and in this “dog eat dog” world of the Premier League, nobody is a pushover.

While the nature of the game might anger Jose Mourinho, I doubt anybody (except Everton fans) else was complaining. Thank God there is the Premier League.

Edited by Staff Editor