Credit: Imago

Samuel Fabre

Sun 22 March 2026 15:10, UK

Idrissa Gueye was phenomenal in Everton‘s 3-0 win over Chelsea on Saturday.

The Toffees recorded their biggest win at Hill Dickinson Stadium to boost their European ambitions under David Moyes, with the Senegal international one of the standout performers in L4.

Gueye has made 233 appearances for the Toffees over two different spells, and he’s been a huge driving factor in maintaining their Premier League status in the past.

This season, the 36-year-old has formed a brilliant partnership with James Garner, and he is ageing like fine wine at the heart of Everton‘s midfield.

Everton’s win against Chelsea saw the likes of Beto and Garner gain all the plaudits, but Gueye was equally impressive for the Toffees.

Idrissa Gueye quietly becoming Everton’s most important player

Although the official result was overturned, Gueye was a crucial part of the Senegal side that won the AFCON final in January.

The Toffees struggled without their veteran midfielder, and since his return, there has been a clear upturn in the team’s form.

Against Chelsea, Gueye ran the show alongside Garner and provided a brilliant assist for Beto’s second goal by charging with the ball from midfield and playing a perfectly weighted through ball to the striker.

According to Sofascore, the Senegal international won 100 per cent of his ground duels and completed 100 per cent of his successful dribbles.

Gueye also recorded five interceptions and seven recoveries, and it’s safe to say that Chelsea’s star-studded midfield struggled to deal with him all game.

In the Premier League this season, he has won 61.9 per cent of his aerial duels and 59.7 per cent of his ground duels, which shows how tenacious he is at the heart of the team.

The Sofascore graphic above makes it clear that Gueye has been very influential for Everton, and if he performs like that for the rest of the campaign, then Moyes can start dreaming of European football.

Gueye’s display summed up up atmosphere at Hill Dickinson Stadium

The Toffees finally won back-to-back games at their new ground for the first time this season, which highlights their inconsistencies at home.

The result has left them in seventh place, just three points behind fifth-placed Liverpool, whom they host next at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Gueye didn’t give Chelsea’s players a moment to rest, and it helped fuel the best atmosphere the new stadium has seen so far.

With Liverpool, Man City and Sunderland still to visit Hill Dickinson Stadium, the Toffees know that if they can win at least two of those games, they stand a very good chance of qualifying for European football.

Gueye and Garner are becoming unstoppable in midfield, and if they continue to perform with high intensity, the fans will continue to show their undying support for the team.

And after an uninspiring start to life in their new ground, that could actually be the key to achieving something memorable this season.