At times against Everton, Chelsea’s trio of centre-back stalwarts rolled back the years, showing all the value of their experience and defensive nous.
Thiago Silva, 37, typified it with one of many interceptions in particular. The Brazilian kept his composure and held his ground, like the classy defender he is, when facing a two-against-one Everton breakaway until the time was just right to commit and cut out Demarai Gray’s pass to the unmarked Anthony Gordon.
Summer signing Kalidou Koulibaly caught the eye with some of his reading of the game, nullifying Everton on the few occasions when they thought they had escaped him.