In what was, for long periods, a tight game at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, Pedro Neto’s two well-taken goals made the difference. For Xabi Alonso, it was yet another example of what the Portuguese offers this Chelsea team.
With his pair of clinical left-footed finishes against Everton, Neto took his tally for the season to four goals. That figure is already almost half of the ten he notched in 2025/26.
There is plenty more to Neto’s game than goals, though. Alonso has deployed him in a right-sided position so far this season. It is a role which allows him to showcase his attacking intent while continually contributing defensively, utilising his work rate and positional discipline.
‘You can call him whatever – winger, wing-back, attacker, defender – because he can do many things,’ said Alonso.
‘Pedro has great qualities. He’s always a threat, has a great competitive level, he can run, do one-v-ones, can score goals.
‘He’s so competitive. When he’s close to the action, he’s a threat against any full-back. When he’s on the last line or in between, he connects well with the players around, with Joao (Pedro), with Cole (Palmer), with Josh (Acheampong) as well. They worked really well, and I’m happy he could score.’
So far this season it has been the names of Palmer, Joao Pedro and Morgan Rogers that have stolen the headlines.
While that trio did not score or assist on Saturday, Alonso was still delighted with their contributions. They led from the front and set the tone for a fantastic collective showing.
‘For me they played a fantastic game,’ he said. ‘They worked really hard. They were helping the team, Morgan on the wing, Cole and Joao in the middle. We need that to win as a team, so many positives from the game.’