Chelsea vs. Everton: Winners and Losers from Premier League Game
Willian broke an 89-minute deadlock to see Chelsea to the three points at home to Everton on Wednesday.
With the victory, the Blues maintain a seven-point lead on second-placed Manchester City atop the Premier League table with 13 matches remaining.
The Toffees had several chances to find the back of the net themselves but could neither finish nor beat goalkeeper Petr Cech, who made at least two spectacular saves.
Overall, there were several performances that caught the eye at Stamford Bridge, as well as one or two that were rather less impressive.
Following are the individual winners and losers from the encounter.
Winner: Nemanja Matic, Who Kept the Chelsea Engine Going
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It's hard to quantify just how important Nemanja Matic is to Chelsea.
Not only is the Serbia international the Blues' midfield stopper, but he is also the engine driving countless plays into the attacking third.
On Wednesday he was as influential as ever, touching the ball 81 times, completing 90 percent of his passes and winning seven dribbles, according to WhoScored.com.
Loser: Romelu Lukaku, Who Couldn't Finish
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Romelu Lukaku had a glorious chance to open the scoring in the 68th minute but was denied by Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech at point-blank range.
It was the sort of opportunity the Everton striker should have converted.
"Lukaku snatched at the shot...," tweeted Liverpool Echo editor Greg O'Keefe. "Probably should have done better."
Speaking to BBC Sport after the match, Everton manager Roberto Martinez lamented his side's missed chances, saying:
"We were in control. We had clear-cut chances, the best ones of the game—they needed world-class saves from Petr Cech. It's a shame we couldn't convert the chances. It's a huge disappointment. Our performance deserved a positive result.
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Winner: Eden Hazard, Who Was a Rare Bright Spot on Wednesday
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Until Willian's late winner, Wednesday's match at Stamford Bridge was nothing to write home about.
That said, Eden Hazard routinely got fans out of their seats with long, mazy runs on the dribble and also drew a series of fouls from his opponents.
"Just the three Everton players booked for fouling Hazard so far...Besic, Barry, Coleman," tweeted Zonal Marking's Michael Cox.
Barry's yellow card would prove especially costly as the Everton midfielder was sent off for picking up a second booking in 88th minute.
Just seconds later Chelsea had the ball in the back of the net.
Winner: Petr Cech, Who Came Up Big When Called Upon
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Petr Cech didn't have all that much to do on Wednesday, but when required, he came up big for Chelsea.
The 'keeper made four saves at Stamford Bridge, the most spectacular of which prevented Romelu Lukaku from opening the scoring midway through the second half.
"Petr Cech. What. A. Save!" tweeted Squawka.
Loser: Ramires, Who Was Thoroughly Unimpressive
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Ramires was given another opportunity to play from the start on Wednesday as Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho opted to name Cesc Fabregas among his substitutes.
The Brazil international played the full 90 minutes, but given Fabregas' return to fitness and the recent acquisition of Juan Cuadrado, it's unlikely he'll see the pitch again any time soon.
He was thoroughly unimpressive against Everton, completing only 83 percent of his passes and contributing just a single tackle, according to WhoScored.com.
Winner: Willian, Who Scored the Winning Goal
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Willian was a standout contributor from start to finish on Wednesday and was rewarded with a standing ovation upon his exit in second-half stoppage time.
By then he had broken an 89-minute deadlock with Everton—his long, accurate drive finding the near corner after Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard had punched the ball into his path.
The Brazil international also worked well alongside Juan Cuadrado and Eden Hazard in attack and routinely moved from his starting position in the hole behind Loic Remy to both the right and left sides.
Cuadrado's arrival gives Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho an additional option, but at this rate it'll be difficult to displace Willian from the first-team squad.
