Henderson: Chelsea's 2-0 win at Everton 'vital' and controlled

Chelsea midfielder Jordan Henderson praised the club's back-to-back Premier League wins and first clean sheet of the campaign after a 2-0 victory at Everton's Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday.

'Three points is always vital for us, especially away from home against a tough team who were unbeaten this season,' Henderson said. 'I thought defensively we looked solid and we created some good chances to score two nice goals.'

The result followed Chelsea's 5-1 home win over Bournemouth the previous week, with the Blues conceding just one goal across the two fixtures. The run lifted Chelsea above Everton and into fourth place in the Premier League table.

Henderson highlighted the defensive improvement as a particular positive. 'A clean sheet is always important and I know we haven't had enough of them for a while,' he said. 'I don't think we gave them too many chances at all, so that was really pleasing.'

The win also marked Chelsea's first victory at Everton's new Hill Dickinson Stadium ground. Manager Xabi Alonso had called for greater defensive solidity to complement the side's attacking output.

Henderson also expressed concern for goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, who was stretchered off during the match and later underwent surgery on a fractured jaw. 'All the lads and everyone will be thinking of him, of course,' Henderson said. 'Fingers crossed he can be back with us pretty soon because he's a really important figure, not only on the pitch but around the dressing room.'