Chelsea almost made the perfect start when Palmer delivered an early free-kick into a dangerous area. Unfortunately, Trevoh Chalobah just failed to make contact at the back post.
It was the visitors who fashioned the first clear chance of the evening. Beto was picked out by Seamus Coleman inside the Chelsea penalty area but the striker’s effort cleared the crossbar.
We quickly made the Toffees pay thanks to a moment of magic from Palmer. The forward collected the ball in the final third, nutmegged Jarrad Branthwaite, exchanged a backheeled pass with Jackson, and then guided the ball into the far corner
Palmer almost had his 18th Premier League goal of the season a minute later. Madueke crossed from the left wing but with the goal at his mercy, the ball fell behind our No.20 who couldn’t make clear contact.
Not that he had to wait long, however. His second came from a flowing Blues move.
Caicedo did excellently on the edge of the box to find Mudryk, who picked out Jackson six yards out. Pickford saved his shot but the rebound fell to Palmer who headed home.
At this point, the Bridge was rocking with Palmer orchestrating attack after attack. His fellow forward Jackson was next to go close, firing just over the bar from the edge of the area
Inevitably, the third went to Palmer. Pickford was at fault, as he gifted possession to the Chelsea forward well outside of his goal. But Palmer’s finish was exquisite as he lifted the ball high with his right foot and it dropped perfectly into the net.
Everton appeared to have found a way back into the contest on half hour mark. Forward Beto headed firmly beyond Djordje Petrovic from Ashley Young’s cross, only for the visitors celebrations to be cut short by an offside flag.
James Tarkowski then went close for Everton as he got on the end of a deep free-kick only his effort to be deflected behind by Chalobah.
Despite letting the game fall into a temporary lull, the Blues had time for a fourth before the break. Marc Cucurella managed to get down the left channel to get a cross into the box.
The ball found Jackson, who swivelled sharply to find the corner with a clever finish on the bounce. The half-time whistle followed with the Blues four to the good and in total control.
Everton made a triple change at the break but failed to stem the tide. The Blues continued to carry a threat every time we went forward.
Palmer was presented with an opportunity to score his fourth as he was played clean through on goal by Mudryk. This time Pickford foiled the England forward with a strong save.
Yet a chance for Chelsea’s fifth came when Madueke was bundled over in the box by Tarkowski. Palmer stepped up and duly sent the Everton keeper the wrong way for his fourth of the night.
With a commanding lead, Pochettino introduced Carney Chukwuemeka for Madueke. The next chance fell to Mudryk after a driving run from Jackson, but the Ukrainian’s effort was straight at Pickford.
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Gilchrist smashed home after Ben Chilwell’s initial effort was saved for his first goal in Chelsea Blue. His celebration was one of pure emotion in front of the Shed End.
That goal completed the scoring. Pochettino and his players can reflect on a fine evening that made it eight games without defeat in the Premier League and saw us close the gap on the European places.