Chelsea continued their climb up the Premier League table with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Everton at Stamford Bridge, a result that saw the Blues push up into top five.

Following the match, Everton manager David Moyes offered an honest assessment of his side’s performance — and gave plenty of credit to Chelsea for the win.

Moyes didn’t hide behind excuses. Speaking after the game, he admitted:
“The problem was probably Chelsea [in the first half], they were fast and showed great intensity. That’s probably the problem more than us.”

The first-half performance from Chelsea was exactly what fans have been crying out for — high energy, aggressive pressing, and quick passing that had Everton on the back foot from the start. The Toffees struggled to live with the pace and movement of the Chelsea attack, and Moyes was gracious enough to acknowledge it.

Despite Chelsea’s dominance, Everton did create a few chances of their own. Moyes reflected on those missed opportunities, saying:
“The goalkeeper made a couple of good saves and maybe we should have finished those chances off. We didn’t play at our best.”

Indeed, Chelsea’s goalkeeper Robert Sanchez stood tall when called upon, preserving the slim advantage with some important interventions. While Everton weren’t at their sharpest, much of that was down to the relentless pressure Chelsea exerted throughout the match.

Moyes also pointed out that his side’s recent struggles in front of goal have been a problem, noting:
“Earlier in the season, we were getting those goals but at the moment we are struggling to get those goals.”

For Chelsea, though, it was a performance full of positives. After an inconsistent season, this win — built on energy, intensity, and a strong defensive showing — will boost confidence as the race for the top four heats up. If the Blues continue to show this level of hunger and determination, there’s every chance they’ll not just secure Champions League football, but finish the season on a real high.

Up the Chels!