Pep Chavarria was due to start for Chelsea in last weekend’s clash with Everton, but a minor injury for the Spaniard forced him to withdraw from the matchday squad.
Instead, Xabi Alonso nodded to left-back Jorrel Hato and the Netherlands international took advantage at the Hill Dickinson Stadium. Hato helped the Blues keep their first clean sheet in nine months in the Premier League, while the Dutchman provided another threat.
The 20-year-old’s powerful run into the box down the left saw him get into a position to deliver a fine pass to Pedro Neto to open the scoring on Merseyside.
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It hasn’t been an easy start to the season for Hato, or life under Alonso. A costly error in last month’s draw with Hull City left him out of the squad for the defeat to Brentford before the international break, but Chavarria will hope to win back Alonso’s trust if injury rules him out of another game this weekend.
Alonso will update the public on the latest injury news when we should hear more about Chavarria’s fitness when he holds a press conference ahead of Tottenham on Friday at 1.30pm (UK time). The Chelsea manager must be relieved after Hato’s injury-plagued performance at Everton.
Elsewhere, Alonso will be unable to call on Emiliano Martinez, who underwent surgery on a broken jaw at the weekend after picking up the injury in the 2-0 win over the Toffees. Mike Penders has performed well since replacing the goalkeeper and the Belgian is set to make his full Premier League debut when Spurs visit Stamford Bridge on Saturday evening.
Alonso was delighted with Penders’ performance after taking to the field on Saturday afternoon in difficult conditions. Speaking after the victory, the head coach of “Chelsea” said: “He performed well. You could see what Amy is, her personality, her courage, and we trust her completely.
“He has played in cup games and whenever needed, like other players, they can come on like Jorrell.
“He did very well today too, he came on in the first game after the little problem with Pep. It’s about the squad so that all the players feel important, get the moments they need and that’s a very positive thing.”