Chelsea began their 2017 Premier League campaign on Saturday with a 1-0 victory at Everton thanks to a first-half penalty from Italy midfielder Jorginho.
13 corners were thrown at the home goal by Chelsea in the first half, but they appeared to be having trouble as halftime drew near until Jorginho converted from the penalty after Ben Chilwell was fouled to give the visitors the lead.
Edouard Mendy’s outstanding stop against Abdoulaye Doucoure early in the second half maintained Chelsea’s lead, and that was the best thing that could be said about a dismal Everton team who barely avoided relegation last season.
Raheem Sterling, an English attacker, missed a late opportunity to add a second goal that would have completed an outstanding debut.
It didn’t really matter because Chelsea easily secured the three points despite a turbulent season following the club’s sale to an investment group led by Todd Boehly, a part-owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
