Everton welcomed fans back to Goodison Park with a 1-0 win over Chelsea.

Gylfi Sigurdsson scored the game’s only goal from the penalty spot after Edouard Mendy charged into Dominic Calvert-Lewin as he controlled a high ball.

Here were the key talking points from Goodison Park:

The Grand Old Lady roars again

 

Goodison beneath the lights has been synonymous with a febrile atmosphere.

But the nine months since the famous ground last reverbarted with the sound of supporters felt like an eternity prior to the visit of a high-flying Chelsea.

The 2,000 returning Evertonians made up for lost time against the west Londoners from the iconic first strains of Z-Cars through to the final whistle.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side did not simply live up to fans’ expectations on a first outing since March, they fed off the intensity provided by the Gwladys Street.

Goodison did not shake to its very foundations yet the support provided by a mere fraction of its 40,000 capacity made its presence felt on an arctic night.

That partisan backing will prove invaluable for Everton as they attempt to solidify a Europa League qualification place in the weeks and months ahead.

Godfrey continues to be a cut above

 

Everton’s best summer signing is proving to be their most unheralded one.

The arrival of Ben Godfrey did not capture the imagination in the same way that Allan, James Rodriguez and, to a lesser extent, Abdoulaye Doucoure.

Another domineering performance up against one of the Premier League’s most fearsome forward lines, however, suggests it was £20 million well spent.

Godfrey’s standout display as an auxiliary left-back was one of the highlights for a returning home crowd through his remarkable ability to read the game.

Beyond routinely sniffing out the threat posed by Kai Havertz, the 22-year-old embarked on a few surging runs in attempts to transform defence into attack.

Last week’s draw at Burnley offered signs that Everton unearthed a real gem when they prised Godfrey from a newly condemned Norwich City in October.

This showing went a step further in vindicating Ancelotti’s sound judgement.

Clean sheet is Blues’ delight

 

One glaring issue has stood out more than most in Everton’s season so far.

Not since their opening day win at Tottenham, exactly three months ago, have Ancelotti’s goalkeepers successfully managed to keep a clean sheet.

Recording a second shutout in the visit of the Premier League’s previously unbeaten team already appeared a tall order for Jordan Pickford to achieve.

The England international’s goal was peppered by the visitors throughout, with Reece James firing a succession of efforts his way early in the first half.

Pickford withstood the two-minute onslaught, first parrying a free kick by the Chelsea right-back before tipping a thunderous shot onto his right-hand post.

Little troubled the much-maligned stopper thereafter. Only Mason Mount’s set piece which cannoned back off the woodwork provided any genuine concern.

Ancelotti implored Pickford to cut out his previous mistakes by operating on instinct rather than overthinking. Clearly their was a method in the message.

Captain Sigurdsson seeks redemption

 

What a difference five weeks have made for Gylfi Sigurdsson.

A non-existent appearance against Manchester United early last month suggested the Icelandic playmaker’s time at Goodison was running out.

Tasked with filling the void of Rodriguez’s absence, Sigurdsson produced a well-rounded account which surpassed an admittedly low bar of expectation.

Beyond scoring a composed penalty which tipped the balance of this game, he also mucked in to wrest control of the midfield battle away from Chelsea.

Sigurdsson’s eight-figure price tag has often been an albatross around his neck in the three years since becoming Everton’s all-time record signing.

Cynical fans will rightly point to this as little more than another false dawn but there can be no disputing that the 31-year-old repaid his manager’s faith.