Premier League champions Chelsea suffered another damaging defeat as they went down to a perfect Steven Naismith hat-trick at Everton this lunchtime.
The Scotland international replaced the injured Muhamed Besic in the early stages at Goodison Park and scored two within 13 minutes of his introduction.
Nemanja Matic pulled one back for the visitors with a 30-yard stunner, but Naismith secured the Toffees a 3-1 victory with a third eight minutes from time.
The Blues could be 11 points behind table-topping Manchester City, who face a tricky visit to second-place Crystal Palace this afternoon, by the end of play today.
Here, fanatix rates and slates how Jose Mourinho’s side performed on Merseyside…
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GK: Asmir Begovic – 8/10
If there is one positive that Mourinho can take from today, it is that his goalkeeping spot is in safe hands with Begovic. The Bosnian began deputising for Thibaut Courtois, who is expected to miss four months with a knee injury, with a superb performance, keeping Chelsea in the game with a series of fine saves until Naismith drilled a low shot through his legs to seal the points for the Toffees late on.
RB: Branislav Ivanovic – 4/10
It goes from bad to worse for Ivanovic, who may find himself dropped after another concerning early-season display. He gave Naismith too much room for his second goal and even young Everton left-back Brendan Galloway gave him a difficult time. That is a measure of how badly his form has dipped.
CB: John Terry – 5/10
Brought back into the team after serving his suspension, the Chelsea captain looked strangely unsure of himself. He was lucky to avoid putting his side in further trouble with a blatant back-pass to Begovic.
CB: Kurt Zouma – 5/10
Mourinho kept faith in the youngster and dropped Gary Cahill to the bench, but Zouma and Terry appeared like strangers at times as Everton attackers ghosted in between them with regularity.
LB: Cesar Azpilicueta – 6/10
Probably the only defender guaranteed his place in this self-destructing Chelsea back four. Had a good first-half chance saved by Tim Howard after a clever run in from the left. Booked late on.
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