Chelsea spurned the chance to claim top spot as Steven Naismith’s first-half header earned Everton a 1-0 victory on Saturday which condemned Jose Mourinho to his first Premier League defeat since returning to England.
Naismith, celebrating his 27th birthday, struck on the stroke of half-time at Goodison Park as Everton gave new boss Roberto Martinez his first victory in the league since replacing David Moyes. Everton remain unbeaten and, on this evidence, look capable of continuing the progress they made under Moyes which persuaded Manchester United to make the Scot their new manager. This was, however, a disappointing setback for Chelsea ahead of the start of their Champions League campaign as Mourinho discovered there remains work to be done if he is to mark his first year back at Stamford Bridge.