Chelsea vs Everton LIVE: Nicolas Jackson’s goal earns vital three points for Blues
Chelsea 1-0 Everton: Enzo Maresca’s men move up to fourth in the table
Chelsea earned a vital three points in the race for Europe after defeating Everton 1-0 in a close encounter at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues, who are aiming to secure a place in the Champions League next year, moved up to fourth in the Premier League table following Nicolas Jackson’s sweeping strike in the first half.
Enzo Maresca’s men were the controlling side, especially in the first half, and forced a couple of decent saves out of Jordan Pickford who was on form yet again for the Toffees. Jackson’s effort, scored from range with a finely directed strike that hit the inside of the far post, defeated the Everton goalkeeper and was a difference maker in the end.
Everton fought back folowing attacking changes from David Moyes but Robert Sanchez made two crucial stops to deny Beto and Dwight McNeil.
Relive the updates from Stamford Bridge below:
Chelsea 1-0 Everton
54 mins: Close! A misplaced pass comes towards Pickford but it’s underhit.
Jackson tries to nip in and win it first but Pickford gets to the ball and tips it just away from the striker before sending it up the pitch.
More good work from the Everton goalkeeper.
Chelsea 1-0 Everton
51 mins: Save!
A corner ball comes to the near box where Madueke squeezes ahead of Mykonlenko then fizzes a shot towards goal.
Pickford sticks out a leg and turns the ball wide. Sharp work.
Chelsea 1-0 Everton
48 mins: Pedro Neto dances into the box from the right wing and wins a corner after Jarrad Branthwaite deflects his attempted cross behind.
The set piece is flicked into the penalty area and Everton clear their lines.
Second half! Chelsea 1-0 Everton
David Moyes has made a change at the half-time break with Carlos Alcaraz brought on to replace Illiman Ndiaye.
No changes for Chelsea who get the ball rolling again.
HT Chelsea 1-0 Everton
As things stand, Chelsea are moving up to fourth in the Premier League table.
They have a difficult run in, probably the most difficult of any of the Champions League challengers, and today’s match is a must-win.
Another goal for the Blues will probably be enough for them to win the game today.
HT Chelsea 1-0 Everton
Chelsea have had five shots with three of them on target in the first half.
In contrast, Everton have only mustered one attempted and Doucoure sent it wide.
Not the most thrilling match so far.
Half-time! Chelsea 1-0 Everton
45+4 mins: The whistle goes to end the first half.
Chelsea had things mostly their way but there were a couple of signs that they might be a way back into the game for Everton.
We’ll have to see how the second half plays out.
Chelsea 1-0 Everton
45 mins: Abdoulaye Doucoure has his head in his hands after missing a great chance.
Harrison whips the ball out to the left wing where Mykolenko collects the ball.
He hangs it up into the box and Doucoure arrives perfectly on time to nod his header wide of the target!
He know he can do better. Four minutes of added time to play.
Chelsea 1-0 Everton
42 mins: Sanchez and Mykolenko are both on their feet and give each other a little cuddle.
There was no malice in the challenge from either man and that’s acknowledged here. A nice display of sportsmanship.
Sanchez boots the ball up the pitch and gets the match going once more.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments