Two goals, five key passes and a performance that proved there is much more to Pedro Neto than his blistering pace. The Portuguese winger stole the spotlight at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, inspiring Chelsea to a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Everton.

Xabi Alonso's side arrived in Merseyside looking to build on their emphatic 5-1 win over Bournemouth, but faced an Everton team determined to protect their unbeaten start to the Premier League campaign.

For much of the first half, the hosts made life difficult for Chelsea, pressing aggressively and limiting their attacking opportunities.

However, Neto proved to be the difference after the break. His first Premier League brace not only secured three valuable points for the Blues but also underlined his growing importance in Alonso's attacking system.

Neto takes centre stage in Merseyside

Chelsea had struggled to find a breakthrough during the opening 45 minutes, with Everton's man-to-man pressing disrupting their attacking rhythm.

However, adjustments at half-time helped the visitors find more space, and Neto needed just 43 seconds after the restart to break the deadlock.

Following a dangerous move down the left involving Jorrel Hato, the Portuguese international found himself in a promising position and calmly finished past Jordan Pickford to give Chelsea the lead.

It was a moment that reflected both his attacking instincts and his ability to make the most of an opportunity.

Neto remained a constant threat, contributing far more than just goals. His five key passes highlighted his ability to create opportunities for teammates, while all three of his attempts on goal found the target.

His second goal arrived in the 90th minute, when Jordan Henderson's free-kick struck the Everton wall, and the ball fell kindly to Neto inside the penalty area.

Rather than rushing his attempt, the winger showed composure to pick his spot and beat Pickford, putting the result beyond doubt.

Speaking after the match, Neto credited the team's tactical adjustments for helping them overcome Everton's pressing approach.

"We know that they came man-to man. In the second half we adjusted some stuff. We tried to get the best of the man-to-man press and we got away. We got the cross and I could finish, so really happy."

The Portuguese winger also revealed that advice from his national team coach had influenced his finishing, encouraging him to favour placement when shooting near the penalty area.

His two goals were different in their execution, but both demonstrated a quality Chelsea needed throughout the afternoon: decisiveness.

• More than just a goalscorer

While Neto's brace will understandably dominate the headlines, his overall contribution deserves equal recognition.

The 26-year-old was involved throughout Chelsea's attacking play, combining his direct running with an ability to create opportunities for those around him.

Alongside his five key passes, Neto completed 27 of his 32 attempted passes, demonstrating efficiency in possession during a physically demanding encounter.

His contribution was not limited to the attacking third, with five recoveries and two successful tackles reflecting his willingness to help defensively.

Perhaps most significantly, the performance offered another indication of how valuable Neto could become in Alonso's system.

With three Premier League goals and one assist this season, the winger has shown his ability to contribute directly to Chelsea's attacking output. His double against Everton accounted for two of those three goals, making it his most productive league outing of the campaign so far.

For a Chelsea side featuring attacking talents such as Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers, and João Pedro, Neto's performance served as a reminder that the team's offensive threat extends beyond its most prominent names.

His influence was particularly valuable in a match where the Blues needed patience and precision rather than an endless stream of chances.

Following the victory, Neto praised the personality of his teammates displayed and dedicated the result to the goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez, who had been forced off following a serious collision.

Chelsea secured their second consecutive league win and a much-needed clean sheet, but it was Neto who provided the decisive moments.

On an afternoon when opportunities had to be earned, the Portuguese winger delivered when it mattered most, turning a difficult afternoon in Merseyside into a memorable one for Chelsea.