Everton ended Chelsea’s profitable run with a dramatic late equaliser from substitute Ellis Simms at Stamford Bridge to bolster their hopes of Premier League survival.
The 22-year-old outmuscled Kalidou Koulibaly to steal in and make it 2-2 within the 89th minute, after Kai Havertz’s penalty regarded to have made it 4 victories in a row for Graham Potter’s facet.
Joao Felix gave Chelsea the lead early within the second half of a match they’d dominated as much as that time, earlier than being pegged again by Abdoulaye Doucoure’s headed purpose.
The hosts have been once more left to rue missed alternatives, with their fluid attacking play blunted by a scarcity of killer intuition contained in the field.
The primary roar of anticipation from a loud house help got here early. Michael Keane’s headed clearance from a Ben Chilwell nook dropped to the sting of the field, from the place it was crashed narrowly vast of purpose by way of a leaping volley from Mateo Kovacic.
Christian Pulisic, again within the crew for the primary time in two months, bought in down the left and pulled the ball again for Chilwell to prod it in the direction of the stretching Felix, whose contact was simply too slight to show it previous Jordan Pickford.
The breadth of Chelsea’s play challenged Everton’s defensive organisation, attacking fluidly down both flank with Reece James and Chilwell at their incisive, energetic finest. Enzo Fernandez hit quick and lengthy balls with lethal precision, and Felix stretched the guests together with his mesmerising shut management.
But for all Chelsea’s endeavour, a first-half purpose wouldn’t arrive. Felix – via whom each promising assault appeared to move – tried with a drilled effort from 18 yards that flew straight into Pickford’s gloves. A intelligent free-kick transfer ended with a low shot from Fernandez which was blocked.
The hosts had began the sport within the backside half of the desk however a profitable run and ultimately a way that Potter is aware of his favoured beginning XI and form had lifted the temper of Stamford Bridge. Even with Raheem Sterling out injured, they attacked like a crew snug in each other’s firm, stuffed with spirit and perception.
The second half opened with extra Chelsea strain. Chilwell, glorious once more all through, crossed from the left and Havertz rose to energy a header low at purpose which was crushed out by Pickford. On the rebound, Keane narrowly beat Felix to the ball and cleared.
The purpose was the structure of Chelsea’s two finest gamers. Fernandez hit one other elegant cross which fell completely onto the left foot of Chilwell, who cushioned his cross into the center. Keane was first to the ball for Everton however the defender was too off-balance to make good contact. His half-clearance reached Felix, who took a contact, took goal and with deft precision rolled the ball house off Pickford’s far submit.
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Keane nearly made amends without delay for his defensive lapse, liberating himself from his marker because the ball was whipped in by Demarai Grey however failing to make the contact the cross deserved.
The guests have been inspired, and 20 minutes from time they have been degree. A nook from the correct was met by James Tarkowski muscling above Chelsea’s defence to get his head to the ball, and because it dropped into the six-yard field Doucoure acted quickest to nod it over the road, as Havertz tried in useless to hook clear.
Chelsea responded like a crew buoyed by new confidence. James received a penalty when he was barrelled to the bottom by Tarkowski. That handed Havertz the prospect to revive the lead, which he duly took, sending Pickford the incorrect approach.
However Everton wouldn’t be crushed. A minute from the top, Doucoure performed the ball to Simms, who darted past a weak problem from Koulibaly and side-footed previous Kepa Arrizabalaga to safe what could possibly be a priceless level in Everton’s battle for survival.