Steven Naismith came off the bench to hit a treble as struggling champions Chelsea suffered a 3-1 defeat at Everton.
The Scotland attacking midfielder – on for the injured Muhamed Besic on nine minutes – scored on 17, 22 and 82 minutes as Jose Mourinho’s side suffered their latest setback at the start of a season that is threatening to burn their hopes of defending the title they won with such professionalism in May.
Nemanja Matic gave Chelsea hope with a thumping hit from 30 yards on 36 minutes, but the visiting side could not maintain the momentum as Everton – with Chelsea target John Stone showing his class – defended doggedly in the second half.
While Roberto Martinez’s Everton are up to third in the standings with eight points from five games, Chelsea have made their worst start to a season since 1988 having accumulated only four points from five games.
It is the worst start to a season by any side defending the English Premier League title since its inception in 1992.
Indeed, if it was not for a couple of brilliant stops by Asmir Begovic, the trip to Goodison Park could have been a lot worse for Mourinho’s bedraggled side, who could trail Manchester City by 11 points before the day is out.