Chelsea collect 2-0 win over Everton for Hill Dickinson Stadium, and 36-year-old Jordan Henderson show say him experience still dey count for Premier League. Pedro Neto score both goals for the visitors, but na Henderson steel and experience for midfield help Chelsea hold on and finish the job.
Henderson no score against Everton, but him partnership with Moisés Caicedo give Chelsea solid platform to push forward and keep clean sheet. According to ESPN Global Research, Henderson make most passes for final third (20), get most touches (73) and make most accurate passes (58) pass every other player wey dey pitch. Di stats stand out well well because na him be di oldest player for Premier League at 36 years and 4 months.
Referee Paul Tierney bin at centre of one small but telling moment. As Chelsea try close out game, Henderson stand near Tierney and point out say goal kick no suppose be awarded against him side. Seconds later, Tierney change him original decision and point to corner flag. Na small detail, but e sum up how Henderson take control of him afternoon and how e dey affect Xabi Alonso improving young Chelsea team.
Henderson move from Brentford to Chelsea on free transfer no get loud praise as master stroke. Some cynics claim say e bin only come to enforce squad standards and help younger players. But after missing start of season due injury, he don play full 90 minutes in Chelsea last three games, and him form dey make am indispensable to Alonso, especially with captain Reece James knee injury wey dem expect to keep am out for around three months.
Alonso tok afta Henderson score him first goals for club for 5-1 win over AFC Bournemouth. E say dem sign am for everything, and if Henderson fit score two beauties dem go happy, but apart from goals he dey do many good things: e dey always involved for action and dey give teammates solutions. Henderson himself tok say e dey enjoy challenge, and although plenty people talk about the move when e come, e go do him talking on pitch. E talk say from when e speak with manager and club, e feel say dem want make e help on field, and e dey use criticism as fuel to prove people wrong again. E still feel say e fit compete at highest level and e dey love how team dey come together.
Neto put Chelsea ahead 45 seconds into second half after lovely work from Morgan Rogers for build-up. Rogers still dey pitch after e escape second yellow card for challenge on James Garner late for first half, and that one cause consternation for Everton boss David Moyes. Chelsea ability to start halves quickly still pay off: Alonso side don score league-high six goals inside opening seven minutes of first halves this season, plus three goals inside first four minutes of second halves.
