The man of the match was the old man of the match. Thomas Tuchel was asked if Thiago Silva was the fittest player of his age he had ever managed. The German grinned as he replied he had never coached anyone of the Brazilian’s vintage. No wonder, too. Silva was born in a season when Everton won the league, and not even the most recent one. He is nearer in age to Alan Shearer than Kai Havertz, closer in years to Jacob Rees-Mogg than Armando Broja. He is almost 38. He is the timeless old-timer.
Two decades into his career, Silva seems Chelsea’s rock of ages, or their ageless rock. Victory at Goodison Park came courtesy of a back three with a combined age of 100. Chelsea have spent their summer tying two down for six years. A couple of days after signing a two-season deal that will take him to the brink of his 35th birthday, Cesar Azpilicueta returned to a ground where his error resulted in defeat three months earlier and was reassuringly solid. Kalidou Koulibaly was bought with a four-year contract and made an auspicious debut, capped by the incisive pass that resulted in Ben Chilwell earning the penalty for Jorginho’s decider.
