Chelsea vs. Everton: Score, Grades, Reaction from Premier League Game
Willian scored a late winner to secure a 1-0 victory for Premier League leaders Chelsea at home to Everton on Wednesday night at Stamford Bridge.
Manager Jose Mourinho's side entered the night with a commanding seven-point lead atop the table but appeared to be heading for a scoreless draw until Willian netted the winner with a deflected strike in the 89th minute.
Until that point, the Blues had been unable to reach top gear against manager Roberto Martinez's resolute Everton, who missed a clear chance to take the lead through striker Romelu Lukaku in the second half.
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The hosts did not play poorly but often lacked a cutting edge in the absence of midfielder Cesc Fabregas—who started on the bench following an injury—and suspended centre-forward Diego Costa.
When Chelsea did create chances, the Blues found it difficult to beat Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard, who turned in a strong performance in his return from injury.
With the win, Chelsea moved onto 59 points through 25 matches and remain seven points ahead of Manchester City, who won 4-1 at Stoke City on Wednesday. Despite not playing their best, Mourinho's men will care only about the result, which keeps them in control of the title race with 13 matches left.
Everton, meanwhile, will hope to build on Wednesday's performance, which was encouraging despite the result. The Toffees, who entered the night in 12th place, have disappointed so far this season and currently sit just five points above the relegation zone.
Up next in the Premier League, Chelsea host Burnley on Feb. 21. Everton host Leicester City the next day.
The Premier League leaders started brightly, creating multiple chances in the opening minutes. Midfielder Nemanja Matic carved out the first opening, shooting over from the edge of the box after a fine run through the middle of Everton's midfield.
In the fourth minute, Chelsea were unfortunate not to win a penalty after Everton forward Steven Naismith touched the ball with his arm inside the box.
Two minutes later, Willian curled a shot narrowly over the bar after cutting inside from the left.
Everton responded by creating a decent chance in the eighth minute. Midfielder Ross Barkley threaded a pass through to Lukaku, who sent Petr Cech the wrong way with a low shot. Cech appeared beaten, but the Chelsea goalkeeper stretched out his leg to make a good kick save.
Chelsea returned to the attack quickly, with new addition Juan Cuadrado flashing a low shot wide of the far post from a tight angle in the 10th minute. Ten minutes later, striker Loic Remy sent an effort just wide after accepting a pass from Cuadrado.
Lukaku had another sight of goal in the 28th minute, but his ambitious shot bounced before reaching Cech, who held the ball comfortably.
Midfielder Eden Hazard caused a moment of danger in the 31st minute with a low shot that took a deflection on its way toward Everton's goal. Howard was not fooled, however, and made the save.
Two minutes before half-time, Chelsea defender John Terry headed just over the bar from a corner, ensuring the match remained scoreless at the interval.
When the second half began, chances were not quite as plentiful. In the 55th minute, Howard saved a header from Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic. Eight minutes later, the American did well to punch away a curling Matic free-kick.
Chelsea came closer still in the 67th minute as Willian hit a low, curling strike on target from the left side of the box. Howard saved again, stretching to his left to push the ball away.
Everton had a big chance at the other end one minute later, as midfielder Bryan Oviedo crossed from the left to pick out an unmarked Lukaku in the goal mouth. Lukaku redirected the ball on target, but Cech made a brilliant reaction save to keep the visitors off the scoresheet.
Chelsea made a double change with 20 minutes left, introducing Fabregas and striker Didier Drogba for midfielder Cuadrado and Remy.
In the 79th minute, Everton substitute forward Kevin Mirallas blasted over the target from distance following good work by Lukaku.
Chelsea appeared to have won the match in the 86th minute when a Matic shot deflected off Everton midfielder Gareth Barry and then Ivanovic before flying into the net past Howard. The goal was ruled out, however, with Ivanovic in an offside position when the initial shot left Matic's boot.
Everton went down to 10 men two minutes later as Barry was sent off for his second bookable offence. From the resulting free-kick, Chelsea finally broke through.
The chance came about after Everton were unable to clear the free-kick, with the ball bouncing to Willian outside the box. As the ball dropped, the Brazilian midfielder hit a half-volley that took a slight deflection on its way into the net at the near post.
It was a harsh end to the night for Everton, but the home fans were thrilled to celebrate yet another win in what is looking more and more like a successful title campaign.
Grades
| Petr Cech | 7.3 |
| Branislav Ivanovic | 7.4 |
| Kurt Zouma | 7.2 |
| John Terry | 7.0 |
| Cesar Azpilicueta | 6.8 |
| Ramires | 6.9 |
| Nemanja Matic | 8.4 |
| Juan Cuadrado | 7.0 |
| Willian | 8.1 |
| Eden Hazard | 7.5 |
| Loic Remy | 6.5 |
| Cesc Fabregas (for Cuadrado, 70') | 6.1 |
| Didier Drogba (for Remy, 70') | 6.0 |
| Gary Cahill (for Willian, 90) | No rating |
| Tim Howard | 7.6 |
| Seamus Coleman | 5.9 |
| Phil Jagielka | 7.4 |
| John Stones | 6.4 |
| Bryan Oviedo | 7.0 |
| Muhamed Besic | 7.0 |
| Gareth Barry | 7.2 |
| Aaron Lennon | 6.3 |
| Ross Barkley | 6.5 |
| Steven Naismith | 6.8 |
| Romelu Lukaku | 7.0 |
| James McCarthy (for Besic, 46') | 6.4 |
| Darron Gibson (for Barkley, 74') | 6.1 |
| Kevin Mirallas (for Lennon, 74') | 6.2 |
Reaction
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho (via BBC Sport):
"It's beautiful to win in the last minute, and it's so sad to lose. They have to be very disappointed, they gave us a very difficult match. We are very very happy and we think we deserve it. We fought so hard to try and win the game.
We risked a lot to try to win. It was a refereeing performance that in my opinion was very good. We had a goal which was fantastically well disallowed by the assistant referee. A great decision.
Everton changed its DNA, they defend really well and made lots of fouls. What we can call intelligent fouls. But if the referee follows the rules it's yellow card, yellow card and they paid the price for that. This is not a criticism, but they foul, foul, foul.
Did Branislav Ivanovic go in with his head? Don't make me laugh. Don't make me laugh.
"
Everton manager Roberto Martinez (via BBC Sport):
"The result is hard to take. You believe you'll get what you deserve—we didn't.
It was a performance full of spirit. Defensively we were very good and we created the best chances. There were a couple of world-class saves from Petr Cech.
The second yellow card for Gareth Barry is very harsh. It's an unfortunate goal to give away, the ball goes through a players' legs. But it allows us to carry on with a good level of performance.
My players were really upset about that (Branislav Ivanovic incident in the late melee). It's the reaction of the Chelsea players you don't like. Ivanovic grabs James McCarthy by the throat. You need a strong referee for those matters. You have to take your chances. You don't want to see the incidents we saw at the end.
I was disappointed with the manner in which the referee dealt with it.
"
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