Everton’s brief illusion of control at Stamford Bridge evaporated the moment Cole Palmer reminded them why Chelsea’s fortunes rise and fall with his presence, sealing a 2-0 defeat that exposed the Toffees’ familiar fragility.

Palmer, ending a long scoring drought, struck his first goal since September to halt Chelsea’s four-match winless run, leaving Everton punished for their early wastefulness.

The 23-year-old, fresh from a prolonged groin injury layoff, opened the scoring after 21 minutes under the watchful eyes of England boss Thomas Tuchel, who saw Everton unravel almost instantly.

Having been rested during Chelsea’s midweek loss to Atalanta, Palmer returned to the starting lineup and wasted no time in showing Everton what they had failed to contain all afternoon.

Malo Gusto compounded Everton’s misery just before the break, doubling Chelsea’s lead and effectively killing the contest before halftime.

Ironically, Everton had dominated the opening exchanges, with Iliman Ndiaye and James Garner going close, but as has become routine, dominance without discipline counted for nothing.

Played clean through by Gusto, Palmer coolly wrong-footed Jordan Pickford, underlining Everton’s defensive lapses with a finish that oozed composure.

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca wasted little time pointing out the obvious after the match.

“We’ve said many times that with Cole we are a better team,” Maresca told the BBC.

“Unfortunately, he was out for many games, but now he’s back, and for sure he will help us,” he added—words that only deepened Everton’s frustration on a night that again exposed their shortcomings