What Reece James did after devastating early injury blow in Chelsea vs Everton

Reece James showed his true colours on Saturday afternoon

Reece James showed his true colours during the first half of Chelsea's clash against Everton on Saturday afternoon. The Blues captain was one of the first players on the scene when Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall appeared to suffer a muscle injury.

The Toffees midfielder, who swapped Stamford Bridge for the Hill Dickinson Stadium in the summer , went down inside the opening quarter of an hour. After noticing that Dewsbury-Hall had sustained a knock, Thomas Bramall halted play in west London and invited the Everton medical staff onto the pitch.

Shortly after receiving some treatment, he was helped to his feet and ushered towards the tunnel . Before Dewsbury-Hall, who was seen clutching his right hamstring, left the field of play, he was approached by James.

The Chelsea captain comforted his former teammate, putting his arm around his shoulder. Dewsbury-Hall would have been eager to show Maresca what he has been missing out on, having enjoyed a brilliant start to life in Merseyside.

The 27-year-old, who rarely featured for the Blues last season, has already made 15 appearances for Everton in the Premier League, scoring four goals and providing three assists. Playing a key role in David Moyes' side, he's helped the Toffees mount a bid for European football.

At Cobham on Friday, Maresca was asked whether he regrets selling Dewsbury-Hall . The Chelsea boss said: "No, I like the players to be happy. When you do a session every day and don’t play, at the end you are not happy.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall of Everton is helped off the pitch by Reece James of Chelsea after sustaining an injury during the Premier League match at Stamford Bridge on December 13, 2025 (Image: Chris Lee - Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)

"I am sure that now Kiernan is more happy because he’s playing every game. What I want from Kiernan but also from the ones that are here is that they can be happy, knowing that some of them are not happy because they don’t play a lot."

Maresca added: "I didn't have any doubt about Kiernan. I know that the more he's going to play, he's going to be better. But again, with us, he was good all season, working hard. The time that he played, he was doing well.

"But yeah, he has also good players, so the competition was a big competition for him. I have no doubt that in the moment that he was able to play more games, he was doing well."

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall of Everton receives medical treatment as team-mate Idrissa Gueye looks on during the Premier League match against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on December 13, 2025 (Image: Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

Meanwhile, in his pre-match press conference, Moyes showered Dewsbury-Hall with praise. The Scot said: "Well, he has been excellent and he’s brought some goals and assists.

"He has brought us calmness at times and has looked a really comfortable footballer. He has shown that previously at Leicester and Chelsea but maybe he just needed a little bit more attention and love.

"The supporters have taken to him greatly here. We’re really pleased with him, he’s done well for us and long may that continue."