As the Premier League eases its way into the 2014/15 season, we’ve already found a contender for one of the most exciting games of the year. Chelsea headed north to Merseyside for a thrilling nine-goal encounter with Everton, and managed to earn a 6-3 victory by full-time. The Londoners started bright and early with new star signing Costa getting his name on the scoresheet after less than a minute, thanks to a ball from Fabregas setting him through on goal.
Just one minute later, Chelsea doubled their lead courtesy of Ivanovic, as a sloppy Everton defence allowed the centre back to slot past Howard from a Ramires pass.
Games don’t start much better than this.
It took Everton until the 45-minute mark to make a breakthrough at Goodison, with Mirallas getting on the end of a first-time cross from Coleman to head home.
An own goal from Coleman was the first real piece of action from the second half. Hazard’s attempted ball across the face of goal was deflected over the line by the right-back, giving the keeper no chance of putting a stop to it.
However, the goal wasn’t enough to put Everton to rest. An immediate response from Naismith made it 3-2 with a flick past Courtois, thanks to an original threaded pass from McGready. Game on.
Just minutes later, Matic got his name on the scoreboard after finding space on the edge of the area and directing the ball into Howards’ left corner.
Having left Chelsea and signed for Everton this summer, Eto’o managed to grab a goal on his debut by getting on the end of Baines’ free-kick. 4-3.
A matter of seconds following, Chelsea charged down the opposite end and scored another, as a neat piece of play from Matic gave Ramires the chance to side foot past Howard.
Costa eventually put an end to the scoring in added time, bringing the keeper away from his line and tapping into the back of the net in style.
Final score: 6-3.