Chilwell: It’s my first game in a very long time

Photo: Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images

It’s been almost nine months since Ben Chilwell played in the Premier League.

Chilwell last featured for Chelsea November last year before suffering a knee injury that made him miss the rest of the season.

Chilwell was pleased to be back on the pitch at the Goodison Park, and can’t wait to be back at his best.

“I’m feeling good and ready,” he said. “Obviously it’s my first game in the Premier League for a long time so I’m very happy to be back, it’s the best feeling in the world.

“I’ve been out for a long time so to come back into the Premier League and have an impact winning a penalty for the team to get the win was a really nice feeling.

“I’ve worked hard for a long time for that moment to play in the Premier League again and it just felt amazing to be back on the pitch with the boys. I’ve had the whole of pre-season plus a few extra weeks where I came in early but it’s completely different to this.

“The Premier League is intense, that’s why it’s one of the best leagues in the world. Every week is a tough game especially when you come here, one of the toughest places to come, so I’m happy to get the win but also exhausted.”

It was Chilwell who won the penalty for Chelsea, affected being bundled by Abdoulaye Doucare as he broke free into the box.

“For sure it was a penalty,” Chilwell stated.

“I was about to shoot and felt the contact, so for me it was a penalty.

“It’s going to take a while to get back into the way I was playing before my injury but those are the moments where I want to impact the game, getting the ball in those areas and driving into the box. Thankfully Jorgi put it away as well.”