Everton began life after Ronald Koeman with a Carabao Cup exit to Chelsea.

David Unsworth’s side travelled to Stamford Bridge little over 48 hours after Koeman was deposed as Blues manager and fell behind in the first half.

Antonio Rudiger powered home a cross to hand the hosts the lead on 26 minutes following a tetchy opening exchange in the capital between the sides.

The game, however, came to life most in the second half as Wayne Rooney was denied a point blank effort and Ademola Lookman hit the crossbar.

Willian to have sealed things right at the end for Chelsea with a wonderful bit of interplay with Cesc Fabregas was pounced on in stoppage time.

But Everton hit back with a consolation as Dominic Calvert-Lewin was quickest to react to some ponderous defending from the home side late on.

Here were the key talking points from the Bridge:

Blues are finally united this season

 

This by far has been the most cohesive that Everton have played all season

From back to front, this was a team with more than a point to prove in the wake of Ronald Koeman’s sacking on Monday afternoon.

For the large part, it was made with a team performance that was markedly better than those shown during the twilight of the Dutchman’s reign.

Even Ashley Williams appeared more assured in a defence which did not look as leggy as they had appeared in recent weeks.

A question of identity remains on the back of Koeman’s departure but quality concerns were more than answered despite the sloppy goals still conceded.

But confidence at least appears to be back within the Goodison Park dressing room.

Baningime calm and in control

 

Beni Baningime raised a few eyebrows on the team sheet at Stamford Bridge.

However on the back of a relatively flawless competitive debut, the question should not be why he warranted a starring role but rather why not sooner.

Assured in position throughout and a real authoritarian presence in the heart of midfield, Baningime might be exactly what Everton’s midfield needs most.

His presence was a reminder that Tom Davies is again free to make the forward runs which heralded his own breakthrough in a royal blue shirt.

Granted, this may just be one game and Ethan Ampadu as his opposite number may have helped but Baningime still appears to have a bright future.

Wide boys offer a breath of fresh air

 

One of the key failings in Koeman’s Everton downfall was his reluctance to start nearly the entirety of this season without any recognised wingers.

However the introductions of Aaron Lennon and Kevin Mirallas offered a reminder of their value when operating on the opposite side of the touchline.

The cover provided on either flanks helped the Blues greatly with a more than flaky defence still causing concerns over its ongoing vulnerabilities.

Chelsea’s defence endured its own torrid time from the wide men, simply because the outlet was finally put out on the pitch for the first time this term.

Evertonians can only live in hope for Yannick Bolasie’s return to help drive on their attacking options in an area that was previously sorely lacking.

Full-backs on opposite sides of the coin

 

Jonjoe Kenny gave probably his most assured display in an Everton shirt to date.

Little found its way past him throughout the full 90 minutes and, watching him, the potential is exponentially there even if not widely acknowleged.

On the other flank however it was a different story, with Leighton Baines’ underwhelming performances appearing to go largely under the radar.

The fact that Everton had issues in other departments, not least in defence, coupled with over a decade of tremendous service may have spared him.

Though the 32-year-old still poses a major threat from set-pieces, even those are beginning to leave a lot to be desired on occasion.

Unfortunately every story must have its ending and the time may have finally come to find a true successor to Baines in the left-back role at Goodison.