The Blues dominated possession all afternoon, yet failed to create clear-cut chances when they reached the Everton penalty area.

Cole Palmer forced Jordan Pickford into two good saves with long-range efforts either side of half-time, but it was the hosts that broke the deadlock when Abdoulaye Doucoure slotted home after Robert Sanchez had saved well from Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

The goal – a breakaway through the middle – exposed the soft underbelly that has plagued Chelsea all season. Yet another injury for captain Reece James – as well as No.1 goalkeeper Sanchez – added to Chelsea’s woes.

Pochettino’s side failed to respond in the 35 minutes that followed, and Lewis Dobbin’s late strike condemned them to a seventh league defeat of the campaign.

GOAL rates Chelsea’s players from Goodison Park…

Goalkeeper & Defence

Robert Sanchez (7/10):

Had little to do in the first half but made a superb stop to keep out McNeil’s low effort early in the second period. Unlucky to concede having just made another good stop. Unconvincing when dealing with set pieces, but Chelsea will now be sweating on his fitness.

Reece James (5/10):

The England defender just can’t catch a break. The 24-year-old was replaced in the first half after suffering a suspected hamstring injury, less than two months after he returned from a similar issue. Another lengthy spell on the sidelines could be on the cards.

Axel Disasi (6/10):

Didn’t really put a foot wrong, although he and Badiashile were dissected too easily for Doucoure’s goal.

Benoit Badiashile (6/10):

Like Disasi he had little to do, but still, the Chelsea defence was breached twice.

Marc Cucurella (6/10):

The Spaniard had one of his more comfortable Chelsea outings, but then he hasn’t set the bar particularly high. Tidy in possession and created one chance.

Midfield

Enzo Fernandez (5/10):

Made promising forays forward but lacked accuracy with shots and passes in the final third.

Moises Caicedo (5/10):

Bypassed by breakaways a couple of times. The Ecuadorian is struggling to dominate midfield like he did for Brighton.

Conor Gallagher (6/10):

Created a couple of chances and was tidy in possession. Weak attempt to halt Everton breakaway that led to Doucoure’s goal.

Attack

Cole Palmer (6/10):

Typically bright and forward-thinking. Forced Pickford into a fine first-half save with a fierce long-range strike and another with a free-kick after the break.

Armando Broja (4/10):

This was a good opportunity to take advantage of Raheem Sterling and Nicolas Jackson’s struggles, but the 22-year-old was anonymous on his third league start of the season, and may now find his chances limited again.

Mykhailo Mudryk (6/10):

The Ukrainian improved on his limp midweek performance and was Chelsea’s main attacking threat, but struggled to create anything from some promising positions.

Subs & Manager

Levi Colwill (6/10):

Replaced James midway through the second half and adapted fairly well to difficult circumstances.

Raheem Sterling (4/10):

Brought on with Chelsea needing a goal but offered little penetration.

Nicolas Jackson (4/10):

Threatened immediately but finishing lacked conviction. Caused more of a stir when he got involved in a scuffle after the final whistle.

Djordje Petrovic (3/10):

Replaced the injured Sanchez late on. Poor punch led to Dobbin’s goal.

Ian Maatsen (N/A):

A few more minutes for the defender, who is yet to start a league game this season.

Mauricio Pochettino (5/10):

Chelsea weren’t exactly bad, but Pochettino had few inspiring options on the bench to inject more creativity into his side. Brought Sterling and Jackson on in good time but they let him down.