Chelsea vs Everton LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction tonight

Live reaction from Stamford Bridge as Thomas Tuchel’s side failed to close the gap on leaders Manchester City

Chelsea: Thomas Tuchel reluctant to spend big on January signings

Follow live reaction as Chelsea were held to a draw by a depleted Everton side at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea were the dominant team throughout but failed to capitalise on their possession as Thomas Tuchel’s side slipped four points behind leaders Manchester City after losing ground in the the Premier League title race.

Mason Mount thought he had earned Chelsea the win when he finished past Jordan Pickford to give the Blues the lead in the 70th minute, but Everton hit straight back when 19-year-old defender Jarrad Branthwaite equalised from Anthony Gordon’s corner four minutes later. Pickford then made a crucial save to deny Thiago Silva’s header low down, but Chelsea were poor and unable to create any further chances.

Everton, who were missing 12 first-team players due to injury or illness, deserved their point after putting in a battling performance for under-fire manager Rafael Benitez. Chelsea were without Romelu Lukaku, Timo Werner and Callum Hudson-Odoi after they tested positive for Covid-19 on Thursday.

Follow live updates and team news below:

Chelsea vs Everton

• Four more Premier League fixtures postponed, including Everton vs Leicester
• Lukaku one of four Chelsea players to test positive before Everton match
• 70’: Mount beats Pickford to fire Chelsea in front
• 74’: Youngster Branthwaite pulls Everton level

[16 December 2021 20:57 · Jamie Braidwood]

Chelsea 0-0 Everton

53 mins: What a chance for Everton! They break forward through Gordon, who plays it inside to Iwobi. Doucoure made a bursting run through the middle away of him and Iwobi simply had to play him in - but he didn’t! Instead he played it wide to Kenny, who blasts over.

That must have been so frustrating for Everton fans, they would have been screaming for Iwobi to play it!

[16 December 2021 20:55 · Jamie Braidwood]

Chelsea 0-0 Everton

50 mins: Chelsea have picked up where they left off at the start of this second half, but there’s still a lot of play outside of the Everton box. Mount tries to speed things up as he lets fly from outside of the box and his deflected effort needs to be tipped wide by Pickford. From the corner, the ball deflects off Loftus-Cheek’s back and loops over the bar.

[16 December 2021 20:49 · Jamie Braidwood]

Kick-off! Chelsea 0-0 Everton

Back underway at the Bridge. Chelsea simply have to find a way through here. Dropped points against such a depleted Everton side would be a big blow to their title hopes.

[16 December 2021 20:48 · Jamie Braidwood]

Half-time: Chelsea 0-0 Everton

Elsewhere, Chelsea are 45 minutes away from crashing out of the Women’s Champions League...

[16 December 2021 20:44 · Jamie Braidwood]

Half-time: Chelsea 0-0 Everton

Chelsea’s wave of Covid-19 cases has left their bench looking a little more bare than usual, which could be an issue if they need some extra fire-power in the second half.

Apart from two goalkeepers (Kepa, Bettinelli) and three defenders (Christensen, Sarr, Chalobah), Kante, Barkley and Saul Niguez is the extent of their options.

[16 December 2021 20:33 · Jamie Braidwood]

HALF-TIME: Chelsea 0-0 Everton

We’re level at the break. Chelsea have been the dominant team and have played some lovely football at times but they’ve lacked the finishing edge.

Everton have battled hard but it’s only a matter of time until the hosts take the lead, you would think.

[16 December 2021 20:30 · Jamie Braidwood]

Chelsea 0-0 Everton

45 mins: Brilliant from Doucoure. He wins the ball back on the edge of his own box before breaking clear of two challenges. Loftus-Cheek brings him down with a sliding tackle and is booked.

There will be two minutes added on.

[16 December 2021 20:29 · Jamie Braidwood]

Chelsea 0-0 Everton

43 mins: An Everton shot! That's better from the visitors. Godfrey leads the break down the left before feeding it inside to Doucoure. It ends up back with Gordon on the edge but his dipping effort is straight at Mendy.

[16 December 2021 20:28 · Jamie Braidwood]

Chelsea 0-0 Everton

41 mins: Ziyech has got the Stamford Bridge crowd purring at times tonight. A lovely back-heel from him to Alonso creates some space, but it ends in frustration as Mount gives away the foul.

Everton are close to getting into half-time level, despite Chelsea’s dominance.

[16 December 2021 20:22 · Jamie Braidwood]

Chelsea 0-0 Everton

36 mins: Big save from Pickford! Rudiger slips Mount through but the Everton goalkeeper makes a big stop with his feet. It was great play from Rudiger initially to hold the ball up in the box and find the gap in which to play in Mount, who should have done better really with his finish.