Cole steps forward

Cole started just his third Premiership game of the season but was one of the most impressive players on the pitch as Chelsea stayed second in the table.

"Joe Cole was fantastic. That was his best game for us," Ranieri said.

"Everything he did was the right thing. I have a lot of confidence in him, he is quick when he needs to be, then slow. Every time he received the ball he made things happen."

Cole, who has 12 caps to his name, dictated much of the play and is enjoying life with his new club and looking forward to the challenges which lie ahead.

"I am loving it," Cole said after the match. "To play at such a high level at a demanding place like Everton is very pleasing. I am still learning and I feel I am getting better with every game now.

"I am happy with the way I played and the way I am progressing - I nearly got 90 minutes.

"I aim to keep playing the best I can and stick to my game, then it is down to the manager. But the main thing is that Chelsea win, whoever plays, as long as we keep on winning."

The win means that Chelsea, with just one defeat in the league all season, trail leaders Arsenal by one point after 11 games.

Cole continued: "We have to keep up there with Arsenal and Manchester United and then see where we are in a few months.

"It is nice to be at the top end of the table which is a new experience for me. I am enjoying everything."

Chelsea's next match sees them play Lazio in Rome tomorrow night in a game which, were they to win, would see them take control of Champions League Group G.

"The manager picks the team, he is the boss and at the moment everything is going well. We are certainly all behind him.

"I would love to be playing in Rome against Lazio, but then every Chelsea player would say that. But we all have faith in the manager's ability to pick the right team to get the job done."

Joe Cole 

Nationality: English
Place of Birth: Islington, London 
Date of Birth: 8 November 1981 
Weight: 9 08
Height: 5' 7''
Club: Chelsea 
Position: Midfielder