Everton were downed by two first-half goals in a defeat to Chelsea.

Cesc Fabregas made Ronald Koeman’s side pay for some lax defending at Stamford Bridge when he pounced to bundle home from a corner kick.

The deficit shortly before the interval by Alvaro Morata as the Blues’ post-Europa League hangover carried on over the Bank Holiday weekend.

Here were the key talking points from the Bridge:

Koeman must seek B&B refuge

 

A 3-5-2 system saw Everton toil throughout their latest visit to London.

Outlets for Wayne Rooney and Sandro Ramirez to seize upon proved limited whilst Gylfi Sigurdsson also struggled to unlock the space required to flourish.

For those reasons alone, Ronald Koeman should be praying for the respective returns of Yannick Bolasie and Ross Barkley as early as realistically possible.

The Blues felt like a side that was heavily depleted, with Koeman admitting that ‘six or seven’ players were ready to come back into the squad when fit.

Bolasie and Barkley would offer the speed required to unlock stubborn teams like Chelsea, even if the latter is currently seeking a ‘new challenge’.

With offers still not forthcoming for Barkley, it may be time for him to finally be recycled back into the first team fold as a fully-functioning member of it.

Sandro offers a small taster

 

Though limited in his output, Sandro at least offered a glimpse of what he will seek to offer Koeman’s side in the long run.

Handed the role of chasing long balls and closing down a Chelsea defence spraying sidewards passes, it was a long day for the Spain u21 international.

Yet it was still a workman-like shift put in by the man bought from Malaga, even if little opportunities presented themselves to him at Stamford Bridge.

His second-half replacement Dominic Calvert-Lewin provided as a much better outlt, and perhaps Sandro could have benefited from that support himself.

There were certainly moments when Everton’s summer coup showed what qualities and ability he possesses. In time he will have the rewards to match.

New CB needed to spare old guard

 

Virgil van Dijk is the bookies favourites to join Everton at the moment.

This performance suggested that they could well need to rival local rivals Liverpool in the hunt for the Southampton defender before August 31.

Phil Jagielka may have fought well in Monday’s draw at Manchester City but appeared permanently off the pace in the sunshine at Stamford Bridge.

Everton’s captain has been a brilliant custodian over the years but with Michael Keane regularly paired with Ashley Williams, his role will diminish.

Plans by Koeman to draft in a replacement for the injured Ramiro Funes Mori before the transfer window shuts, it will surely be money well spent.

Strength in numbers is what Everton require now, particularly in defence.

Schneiderlin again the missing link

 

Morgan Schneiderlin’s suspension left Everton often lacking direction in midfield against the reigning Premier League champions.

With a limited amount of protection from Idrissa Gueye, Tom Davies struggled before he was forced to make way for Muhamed Besic at the interval.

That lack of safety net that the suspended France international so often provides was at the heart of the majority of Everton’s problems at the Bridge.

A calming influence was needed against a team which commanded possession, with Gueye failing to double up on Schneiderlin’s duties.

At times he was more reckless than calming as Everton were pushed wide, giving the team’s entire shape a fairly disjointed look in the first half.

Scneiderlin’s return for the visit of Tottenham after the international break will be a welcome one on the back of a forgettable afternoon in west London.