Everton 1 Chelsea 2

This was my first visit to Goodison Park this season and despite the score it was not a disappointment. The game was of the highest quality from start to finish. Everton went in front within a minute and they then missed countless chances to extend their advantage further. Chelsea are a team of multiple-million pound players and they earned some of their wages by gradually wearing Everton down. Frank Lampard scored twice for the visitors; but man of the match for me was Steven Piennar for a stunning display of skilful football. The financial gulf between the clubs probably decided the final result; when Chelsea made substitutions they could call upon international level footballers. As for Everton, they had to use players brought in from the youth teams.

The photograph shows the scene at the start of the game when the Park End stand held up cards to show EFC in memory of Evertonians that had died in 2012.