Chelsea Beat Everton, Eyeing Champions League With Willy Caballero and Enzo Fernández
Caballero Guides Chelsea to Victory in Premier League Debut as Interim Manager
LONDON (AP) — Wilfredo Caballero celebrated his debut as a coach with a 1-0 victory for chelsea against Everton on Saturday, stepping in as interim manager due to Enzo Maresca‘s suspension. The win boosts Chelsea’s chances of qualifying for the Champions League.
Maresca’s Suspension Leads to caballero’s Opportunity
Maresca, Chelsea’s head coach, was serving a one-match suspension after receiving his third yellow card of the season. The card was issued during last Sunday’s match against Fulham when he entered the pitch to celebrate Pedro Neto‘s late winner in a 2-1 victory.
Maresca had announced on Friday that Caballero would take his place. The two have a long-standing relationship, having played together at Malaga during the 2011-2012 season. “I have known Willy for many years,” Maresca said. “We played together, and we have always been in contact since. We talked about doing something together after we finished our careers. he has been with me since the beginning of my career.His experience can undoubtedly help a lot in the relationship with players.”
From Player to Coach: Caballero’s Rapid Rise
Caballero, 43, retired from playing in July 2023 after two years with Southampton. He quickly joined Maresca’s staff, who was then managing Leicester City in the English Football League Championship. Together, they led the Foxes to the Championship title and promotion to the Premier League, which led to their hiring by Chelsea for the current season.
Saturday marked Caballero’s first official match as head coach. During his time as a goalkeeper for Chelsea from 2017 to 2021, he made 38 appearances and won the Champions League (2021), Europa League (2019), and FA Cup (2018).
Chelsea Secures Hard-Fought Victory Over Everton
The match started with chelsea dominating the first half,but everton rallied in the second,making for a more competitive contest. Nicolas Jackson scored the lone goal of the match in the 27th minute. After Trevoh Chalobah won the ball in midfield, Enzo Fernández delivered a through ball to Jackson, who fired a shot past Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.
It was Jackson’s 10th Premier league goal of the season, ending a 13-game drought since his last goal against Brentford on Dec. 15.
Chelsea’s goal! Assistance from Enzo Fernández and great definition of Nico Jackson for the 1-0 of the blues against Everton.
📺 look at the #Premier by #DisneyPlus pic.twitter.com/YUMBv05VZK
— SportsCenter (@SC_ESPN) April 26, 2025
Everton, having already secured their Premier League status for another year, improved in the second half, creating several scoring opportunities. Both Pickford and chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sánchez were kept busy, but the score remained 1-0.
Champions League Qualification in Sight
With the win, Chelsea now has 60 points and sits in fourth place in the premier League standings. This position would secure them a spot in the next champions League competition, even though Nottingham Forest and Newcastle could potentially overtake them depending on their results.
Chelsea Eyes european Success in Conference League
In addition to their Premier League ambitions,Chelsea is also competing for a continental title. They will travel to Stockholm on Thursday to face Djurgården in the first leg of the Conference League semifinals.
# Caballero guides Chelsea to Victory in Premier League Debut: A Q&A
## Who is Wilfredo Caballero, and what’s happening with Chelsea’s coaching staff?
Wilfredo Caballero is a former professional footballer who recently stepped into the role of interim manager for Chelsea. He took over for Enzo Maresca, the team’s head coach, for a Premier League match against Everton. This happened because Maresca was suspended.
## why was Enzo Maresca suspended?
Enzo maresca received a one-match suspension due to accumulating three yellow cards throughout the season. The third yellow card was given during a match against Fulham when he went onto the pitch to celebrate a late winning goal.
## What was the result of Chelsea’s match with everton under Caballero’s management?
Chelsea won the match against Everton 1-0.This victory marked Caballero’s debut as a coach.
## Can you tell me more about Caballero’s career before becoming a coach?
Caballero had a successful playing career. He retired from playing in July 2023 after spending two years with Southampton. However, before that he played for Chelsea for a time, from 2017 to 2021.
## What achievements did Wilfredo Caballero have at Chelsea as a player?
During his time as a goalkeeper for Chelsea, Caballero made 38 appearances and won the following titles:
* Champions League (2021)
* Europa League (2019)
* FA Cup (2018)
## How did Caballero get involved with coaching Chelsea?
After retiring from playing, Caballero quickly joined Enzo Maresca’s coaching staff. Maresca was managing Leicester City at the time. Together,they led Leicester City to the Championship title and promotion to the Premier League,which ultimately led to them being hired by Chelsea for the current season.
## What was the score and who scored the goal in the Chelsea vs. Everton match?
The match ended with a score of 1-0 in Chelsea’s favor. Nicolas Jackson scored the lone goal for Chelsea in the 27th minute.
## How crucial was this victory for Chelsea?
This victory is critically important as it boosts Chelsea’s chances of qualifying for the champions League. The team’s position in the Premier League standings is improved.
## What’s Chelsea’s current position in the Premier League standings?
After the win against Everton, Chelsea has 60 points and currently holds fourth place. This position currently secures them a spot in the next Champions League competition.
## What other competitions is Chelsea involved in?
In addition to the Premier League, Chelsea is also competing in the Conference League for a continental title. They are scheduled to play Djurgården in Stockholm on Thursday as part of the Conference League semifinals.
## A Fast Recap: Key Facts
Here’s a summary of the key data about caballero’s debut as Chelsea’s interim manager:
| Key Event | Details |
|---|---|
| Match Result | Chelsea 1 – Everton 0 |
| Coach in Charge | Wilfredo Caballero (Interim) |
| Reason for Interim Coach | Enzo Maresca Suspension |
| Goal Scorer | Nicolas Jackson |
| Current league Standing | Fourth Place |
| Goals for Jackson This Season | 10 Premier League goals |