Chelsea missed the chance to move to the top of the Premier League table as they were held to a goalless draw with Everton at Goodison Park.
Nicolas Jackson headed against the post for Enzo Maresca’s team in a first half that Chelsea dominated in blustery conditions but Everton showed impressive resolve and had the clearer chances to score the breakthrough goal in a feisty second half.
Robert Sanchez denied Jack Harrison before Iliman Ndiaye’s close-range shot was blocked by Tosin Adarabioyo. At the other end, Everton, in their first game since the Friedkin Group completed their takeover of the club, kept Chelsea out, just as they did against Arsenal last time out.
It is the first time Chelsea have failed to score since the opening weekend, the first time that they have failed to win a game in any competition since early November, ending a run of eight consecutive victories.
The hard-earned point for Everton moves Sean Dyche’s side above Crystal Palace and up to 15th in the table, while Chelsea remained one point behind Liverpool even before the Premier League leaders kicked off in the later kick-off against Tottenham.
Chelsea have shown their quality this season, sweeping teams away with their slick football, but as the rain swept across this famous old ground in the early stages, it soon became clear this was not going to be that kind of occasion. They had to dig in.
They certainly did that, Sanchez producing one of his better displays of the season, while Tosin dealt well with Dominic Calvert-Lewin before coming up with his crucial late block. So, was it a point gained or was it two points dropped in the title race?
Even stodgy draws can sometimes be the mark of title contenders but perhaps this was an afternoon that hinted at the truth to Maresca’s suggestion that such talk comes too soon for his young team. They were unable to get their football going against Everton.
Pedro Neto and Jadon Sancho stretched play but Cole Palmer could not dictate as he would have liked and Jackson was not clinical when needed. But when you cannot win, do not lose. And that was the reason why Maresca appeared satisfied at the end.
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca speaking in the press conference…
“I’m absolutely happy. I just said to the players that I’m more happy today than after the Brentford game. The reason why is because I was quite worried about this game. It’s a tricky game, tricky stadium, tricky team.
“They are defensively top. They are one of the best teams in Europe in terms of clean sheets. You struggle to create chances against them.
“It was not an easy game. You have to deal with it and you have to learn to play different games. Long ball, second ball, set-pieces.
“It’s not only about how we play on the ball. It’s also how you defend, how you deal with that. I’m very proud today.
“We don’t concede. We arrived to the Christmas moment, second in the table, best attack, one of the best defences. So, we are happy. But the most important thing is that we need to learn to play different kinds of games. And today was not an easy game.
“But the way they showed togetherness has been brilliant today.”
Everton boss Sean Dyche speaking in the press conference about getting a good result following the takeover:
“Yeah, it wasn’t my only goal for me to do that, but it’s a nice add-on.
“A very good meeting with them and they seem like really good people. Very serious people, but in a nice, relaxed manner, sharing thoughts, and that’s gone well. Of course, I said to you the other day, I’m not naive, you’ve got to win games.
“If you talk about my own position, win games, and they’ve made it clear that they’re supportive of my role and what I’ve done here, and what they hope I do. I’ve got to win games. I’m not naive enough to think any other way.”
