Chelsea’s top-five ambitions suffer a major setback after a 3-0 loss to Everton, piling pressure on manager Liam Rosenior.

EVERTON compounded a miserable week for Chelsea with a commanding 3-0 victory at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday. The result severely dents the Blues’ hopes of securing Champions League qualification.

The defeat marks a fourth consecutive loss for Liam Rosenior’s side, piling pressure on the manager just over two months into his tenure. Chelsea were dumped out of the Champions League 8-2 on aggregate by Paris Saint-Germain earlier in the week.

Beto struck twice for the dominant Toffees, with Iliman Ndiaye adding a third. The win propels Everton into contention for a top-five finish, moving them to within two points of sixth-placed Chelsea.

A place in the top five is likely to guarantee a Champions League spot next season due to the strong coefficient of English clubs. Chelsea’s fading chances face a stern test after the international break, with matches against Manchester City, Manchester United and Liverpool in their final seven games.

Debate over Chelsea’s goalkeeping position will intensify after another error-strewn performance from Robert Sanchez. He was beaten for the opening goal on 33 minutes after James Garner’s brilliant pass found Beto.

Jordan Pickford then demonstrated his value at the other end with a stunning save to tip over Enzo Fernandez’s powerful strike. Sanchez’s difficult night worsened after the hour mark when he allowed Beto’s fiercely struck shot to slip through his legs.

Beto was instrumental in the third goal, bullying the Chelsea defence to head Pickford’s long ball into the path of Ndiaye. The Senegal international wriggled into the box before blasting into the top corner.

The victory represents Everton’s first back-to-back home league wins this season at their new 53,000-capacity stadium. It moves them within three points of neighbours Liverpool, whom they face in the first Merseyside derby at their new home on April 19.

 The Sun Malaysia