Everton took an enormous step in direction of Premier League survival with a hard-fought however deserved 1-0 win over Chelsea in a conflict staged at Goodison Park on Sunday afternoon.
The Toffees discovered themselves within the backside three final week after a 2-0 away loss in opposition to Merseyside rivals Liverpool however picked themselves up when it mattered most to gather most factors that would show huge within the relegation battle.
Richarlison obtained the Toffees’ purpose two minutes into the second half, after the Chelsea protection, led by captain Cezar Azplicueta, had been caught on the ball.
The win noticed Frank Lampard’s aspect take their tally to 32 factors, however might dig themselves out of the crimson zone in the event that they win their match at hand.
The conflict obtained off to a lightning begin, with Everton getting a free-kick on the sting of Chelsea’s field after simply 15 seconds when Ruben Loftus-Cheek dedicated a deliberate foul.
Chelsea then managed a lot of the possession from that time onwards, with Everton sitting deep and limiting them to a handful of half-chances.
Regardless of their possession, Chelsea didn’t have a single shot on course, with the match remaining scoreless on the interval.
Two minutes into the second half, Everton struck first when Azpilicueta misplaced possession, permitting Richarlison to choose up the ball earlier than slotting it into the again of the online to make it 1:0.
Three minutes later, Vitali Mykolenko misplaced an excellent alternative to make it 2-0 for the hosts when he was performed clear, however his effort went awfully huge with the purpose at his mercy.
Chelsea might have leveled on the hour mark, however world-class goalkeeping and the put up got here to the Toffees’ rescue.
First, Mason Mount was arrange by Kai Havertz, however his shot cannoned off the put up, earlier than Jordan Pickford ran again throughout purpose to cease a goal-bound Azpilicueta shot.
Two minutes later, Pickford was as soon as once more known as into motion, this time denying Antonio Rudiger from shut vary.
Each groups had possibilities to search out the again of the online late on, however Pickford, particularly, stopped the Blues from leveling together with a late likelihood, denying Mateo Kovavic.
In one other match, Tottenham boosted their hopes of taking part in Champions League soccer with a snug 3-1 win over Leicester.
Harry Kane opened the scores for Spurs halfway by the primary half earlier than Son Heung-min scored a brace within the second half to make sure they moved above Arsenal on the log.
