CHELSEA squandered the chance to go top of the league thanks to a 1-0 defeat at Goodison Park in the Premier League.
The Blues lacked creativity throughout and went 1-0 down early in the first half through a Gylfi Sigurdsson penalty.
- RESULT: Everton 1-0 Chelsea
- TV/Live stream: BT Sport 1
- Everton XI: Pickford, Holgate, Keane, Mina, Godfrey, Iwobi, Allan, Sigurdsson, Doucoure, Richarlison, Calvert-Lewin
- Chelsea XI: Mendy, James, Thiago Silva, Zouma, Chilwell, Kovacic, Kante, Mount, Havertz, Giroud, Werner
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GOODNIGHT FROM GOODISON PARK
It’s a grand old team to play for – and they’re not bad to watch either.
Everton welcomed 2,000 supporters back inside Goodison Park for the first time in nine months and they were rewarded for their patience with a hard-fought win.
In doing so, the Toffees ended Chelsea’s 17-match unbeaten run and helped improve their own form with a first home success since October 3rd.
The only goal of the game was scored from the penalty spot by Gylfi Sigurdsson, restored to the side in the absence of James Rodriguez and named captain for the evening.
The Icelandic international was ice cool from 12 yards, and a standout performer in the home side’s midfield throughout, earning praise from his manager both before and after the contest.
The result lifts Everton back up to seventh in the Premier League, and within one point of the Champions League places.
For Chelsea, it was a missed opportunity to go temporarily top.
More disappointing for Frank Lampard, however, was the manner in which his team crumbled under the challenge on Merseyside.
The Blues lacked any real creativity, and failed to register a shot on target in the second half despite having three stellar strikers on the pitch.
It led the Blues manager to write off his squad as genuine title contenders this season, but promised that his side would learn from this.
What we’ve learnt is that football is so much better with fans in attendance, no matter how few.
There’s another feast of Premier League football to come tomorrow so be sure to join us. Until then, thank you for reading and goodnight.
ANCELOTTI REACTION
Carlo Ancelotti has sung the praises of both his players and the 2,000 Everton supporters inside Goodison Park this evening.
“I’m really pleased to win in front of our supporters. There were only 2,000 but they’ve have seen a fantastic match.
The supporters impact was really strong, we were really pleased. It is really important to have their support and it is a totally different environment with them here.
Carlo Ancelotti
“Defensively we did really well. There was a fantastic force from our midfielders, Allan, Doucoure, Sigurdsson. The team sacrificed and that was the target. Against top teams like Chelsea, you have to sacrifice.
“We were dangerous on the counter-attack, we didn’t concede many opportunities and I think we deserved to win.
TRIBUTES TO THE TWO THOUSAND
A fortnight ago, Everton may not have seen that game out for three points.
Tonight, helped on by 2,000 fortunate fans, the home side were roared to victory when up against it in the final stages.
LAMPARD DOWNHEARTED
Chelsea manager Frank Lampard has confirmed that his players are gutted after their unbeaten run came to an end on Merseyside, believing their poor start played right into Everton’s hands..
“It’s wasn’t our best performance, the first 20 minutes were key and I could see it coming.
When you go 1-0 down against them, it absolutely suits their gameplan which is to make things difficult for us. They did it really well.
Frank Lampard
“We didn’t have enough from then on. For our levels, we weren’t good enough. We didn’t show nearly enough of what we can do.
“[Edouard Mendy] has been outstanding since he got here so I’ll allow him that one error.
“We didn’t pass this test but we will do in the future.”
FAN-TASTIC
After nine months away, it’s hard not get emotional by scenes like these.
GYLFI THE CREATOR
Back in the Everton side tonight due to James Rodriguez’s injury, Gylfi Sigurdsson took his opportunity with both hands.
BLUES BLUNTED
Despite their attacking riches, Chelsea couldn’t find a way past Everton’s makeshift defence this evening.
The visitors failed to have a single shot on target in the second half, with their last effort on target coming in the 28th minute courtesy of Kurt Zouma.
AUSSIE DELIGHT
One former Everton man was delighted to see home supporters back as his former club returned to winning ways.
FT: EVERTON 1-0 CHELSEA
Chelsea’s 17-match unbeaten run comes to end at a bouncing Goodison Park. Two-thousand lucky Everton fans were present to cheer their side on to victory following Gylfi Sigurddson’s first half penalty.
PEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!
IT’S ALL OVER AT GOODISON PARK!EVERTON 1-0 CHELSEA
90+5. One last punt forward from Mendy has Abraham on red alert, but excellent defending from Mina and Holgate relieve the pressure and get the ball to safety.
That should be that.
EVERTON 1-0 CHELSEA
90+2. Chelsea go long, but it’s ineffective.
The hit-and-hope punt forward evades all of Chelsea’s attackers and rolls through to Pickford.
The crowd cheer while Mina fist bumps his goalkeeper. The home side think they’ve got this won.
EVERTON 1-0 CHELSEA
90. Chilwell wins a corner than Mount whips into the area.
Chelsea have the box packed, but it’s Pickford who is first to the ball, punching well clear.
There are five minutes of added time to be played, and Jonjoe Kenny is on for Richarlison.
EVERTON 1-0 CHELSEA
89. The home fans rise to roar their team on for the final minutes: “Everton! Everton!”
For the first time, the 2,000 sound like 40,000.
EVERTON 1-0 CHELSEA
87. Back-to-back Everton corners threaten Chelsea, but, more importantly from the home side’s perspective, keep play up that end of the pitch.
Keane is the only defender sent up for the set-pieces, and he certainly makes his presence felt before Andre Gomes fires a cross into the side netting.
EVERTON 1-0 CHELSEA
85. The home side run the clock down as they take their time over a free-kick.
They also make a second substitution with Tom Davies on for Alex Iwobi.
EVERTON 1-0 CHELSEA
82. One change apiece. Andre Gomes replaces Gylfi Sigurdsson, whose penalty still separates the sides.
For Chelsea, young Scot Billy Gilmour comes on for Mateo Kovacic.
EVERTON 1-0 CHELSEA
81. Post!
Mount tries a low curler around the wall, and looks on in disbelief as the ball cannons back off the base of the goal frame.
The shot was sent to Pickford’s side of the goal, but the keeper had taken a step to the right and would not have got back had the attempt been a couple of inches to the left.
EVERTON 1-0 CHELSEA
80. James wins a free-kick 20 yards from goal after beating Doucoure with another assertive run.
It brings the Everton player a yellow card, and presents Chelsea with a really good opportunity.
EVERTON 1-0 CHELSEA
79. Godfrey hasn’t put a foot wrong this evening, but he’s outsmarted there by Mount.
The Chelsea midfielder continues into the area, only to see his low cross cut out by the reliable Michael Keane.
EVERTON 1-0 CHELSEA
75. Werner goes chasing a pass down the right, but it’s a lost cause.
The German international striker has touched the ball just 27 times this evening.
EVERTON 1-0 CHELSEA
74. Now the visitors decide to test Everton with some aerial deliveries from out wide – but Everton stand firm.
First, Mina gets the better of Giroud, and then Godfrey stays calm under pressure from Abraham to see Kante’s cross out for a goalkick.
EVERTON 1-0 CHELSEA
71. It’s rare to see all three of Giroud, Werner and Abraham on the pitch together.
Chelsea will hope their presence will bring a change of impetus in attack; the Londoners haven’t had a shot on target in this second half.
EVERTON 1-0 CHELSEA
68. A first change from Chelsea sees Tammy Abraham replace Kai Havertz.
It’s a substitution that’s been on the cards since about the fifth minute.
EVERTON 1-0 CHELSEA
67. Brilliant from Iwobi!
The former Arsenal midfielder escapes down the right, and combines well with Holgate before tearing past Chilwell and into the area.
He looks up, considers his options and promptly sends a cross into the Gwladys Street stand.
Awful from Iwobi!
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
