Carlo Ancelotti endured a miserable return to Stamford Bridge as Chelsea thrashed his Everton side to boost their top-four Premier League hopes.
Helped by the inclusion of 18-year-old Billy Gilmour, who made his Premier League debut, Chelsea started the game with a far greater tempo and went ahead after 14 minutes when Mason Mount ended an 18-game goal drought by firing past Jordan Pickford at his near post.
Pedro then latched on to a superb through ball by Ross Barkley to score his first goal of the season as Frank Lampard’s side took control.
Everton had a chance to strike back five minutes later but top scorer Dominic Calvert-Lewin duffed a shot with only Kepa Arrizabalaga to beat.
Two goals in the space of three minutes shortly after the break ended the game as a contest as Willian found the bottom corner with a low shot and Olivier Giroud continued his renaissance with a tap-in from a short corner.
Everton have been in form since Ancelotti’s first game in charge on Boxing Day, during which time they have picked up 18 points.
But this was a desperately disappointing day for the Italian on his return to the club where he won the league and FA Cup double in 2009-10.
The result meant Everton remain 12th, six points behind fifth-placed Wolves, while Chelsea stay fourth and extended their lead over Nuno Espirito Santo’s side to five points.
Including two wins over Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho, Lampard now has three victories over former Chelsea managers this season as fans serenaded him with “super Frank” from all four sides of the stadium.
