Chelsea hold on to fourth place in Premier League after beating Everton

Blues now two points ahead of fifth-placed West Ham

Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford fouls Chelsea's Kai Havertz resulting in a penalty during the Premier League match at Stamford Bridge, London. Picture date: Monday March 8, 2021. PA Photo. See PA story SOCCER Chelsea. Photo credit should read: John Sibley/PA Wire.

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Kai Havertz is finally making an impact at Chelsea and helping in their pursuit of Champions League qualification.

The Germany playmaker has struggled to convince since joining from Bayer Leverkusen in the off-season for up to £70 million (then $92m).

Havertz struggled under previous Chelsea manager Frank Lampard, suffering lasting effects from a coronavirus infection and battling for regular first-team action.

But he helped Chelsea to beat Everton 2-0 at Stamford Bridge on Monday.

Havertz, in the false nine position, was unlucky not to be credited with Chelsea’s first goal, with Ben Godfrey’s deflection eventually confirmed as an own goal.

The lively forward later saw a neat finish ruled out for handball before winning a penalty that Jorginho converted.

“I’m very happy with his performance, no doubt about his quality, his talent, and also not about his character,” Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel said.

“He needs to adapt to the Premier League, he needs to be at a club where you play to win every game, where the highest standards are normal.

"That’s a normal process also for him to adapt to this mentality.”

Chelsea’s mean-spirited defence under Tuchel continues to set new standards in west London.

The German has now become the first manager to secure five clean sheets in his first five home league games.

Chelsea boasts nine clean sheets in Tuchel’s 11 matches in charge, and only Maurizio Sarri with 12 games has enjoyed a longer unbeaten start to life at the club.

It leaves Chelsea two points ahead of fifth-placed West Ham, which beat Leeds 2-0 in the other game on Monday.