TOFF TO TAKE
Everton 0 Chelsea 0: Blues fluff chance to temporarily leapfrog Liverpool into top spot but unbeaten run continues
Chelsea could have been top of the Premier League table, if only for a few hours
CHELSEA blew the chance to go top, albeit temporarily, as Everton did neighbours Liverpool a favour for the second straight week.
It was Arsenal left frustrated at the Emirates last weekend, and this time it was Enzo Maresca’s team that failed to find a way past the tough Toffees backline.
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Chelsea were chasing a sixth successive Premier League win since November 2019, but instead they fired their first blank since the opening weekend.
It was not just the weather that was miserable on Merseyside as Cole Palmer and his fellow attackers failed to find their spark.
And they were left thanking giant centre-half Tosin Adarabioyo at the end for being able to escape back to the capital with a share of the spoils following his brilliant clearance at the death.
It started with new hope all around the locals at Goodison for the first game under the ownership of the Friedkin Group, and even the horrendous wind and rain failed to put a dampener on it.
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Although Maresca’s high-flying side threatened to once the action got underway.
It only took three minutes for Palmer to get his first sniff when he drove forward and pulled a shot wide.
And the early pressure continued as Nicolas Jackson almost rounded Jordan Pickford only to run out of room to set more nerves jangling.
Despite having the wind behind them, a Dominic Calvert-Lewin header straight at Robert Sanchez was Everton’s best early offering.
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And even that led to the visitors responding with Pedro Neto forcing Pickford into a routine save.
The banks of Everton bodies continued to frustrate and hold Chelsea at bay, and it took until the 26th minute until the first big opportunity arrived.
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Great work by Palmer teed up Jackson for a tap-in just yards out, but the England stopper produced a terrific point-black save to keep it goalless.
Maresca’s men were moving through the gears now, and Pickford did well moments later to deny Jackson again after initially almost being caught in no-man's land.
It was starting to get personal between the Everton stopper and Chelsea’s Senegalese striker as the game continued to spark into life.
Though it was the post that came to the rescue of the Toffees and denied Jackson next.
Enzo Fernandez’s corner whizzed through everybody and found Jackson free at the back only for his header to cannon back off the post.
The danger was still not cleared as Malo Gusto fired the rebound wide with Pickford flying at him feet-first to try and stop him - although a VAR check cleared him of any wrongdoing.
Everton's rampant second half
However, it was up the other end that the next action occurred as Sanchez produced a flying diving save to his right.
A rare surge forward from Abdoulaye Doucoure led to him passing it to Orel Mangala to pull the trigger from distance.
Everton, who had just 24 per cent of the ball in the opening period, seemed happy to sit in and try and let Chelsea try play around them.
But they almost caught the visiting Blues out as they made a rampant start to the second half.
And Chelsea had Sanchez to thank for keeping them level as he produced a huge save to smother Jack Harrison’s shot when the winger had been found by Iliman Ndiaye.
Dyche’s men were playing with a lot more belief, and the Goodison faithful responded, rocking up the vocal levels.
Penalty shout
And they were screaming for a penalty when James Tarkowski got his legs tangled with Axel Disasi, and the Toffees skipper gave his rival a mouthful after receiving a nudge from the French international for good measure.
Ashley Young was ruled out of Everton’s Boxing Day trip to Manchester City when he chopped down Jadon Sancho to receive his fifth booking of the season as things continued to get feisty.
Meanwhile, it just was not happening for Palmer, and a free-kick straight at the wall summed up his afternoon on Merseyside.
And as his side continued to snuff out the threat of Chelsea’s talisman, it was Dyche who smelt blood.
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With 20 minutes left he made a triple change with Jesper Lindstrom, Beto and Seamus Coleman on for Calvert-Lewin, Harrison and Young.
And Beto and Lindstrom were straight into the action as the latter fired a ball low across the away team’s area.
Chelsea could not clear their lines, and that left Ndiaye racing forward to smash home the loose ball, only for Tosin to make a tremendous goalline block to ensure that they left with their point.
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There was still time for Mangala to send Sanchez diving to his right but there would be no late drama as the Toffees secured their fifth goalless draw of the season.
And it might not have been pretty, but that is also four clean sheets out of five as Dyche continues to edge them away from danger.
Chelsea ratings vs Everton as Enzo continues to shine but Jackson costs Blues chance to win
CHELSEA extended their unbeaten run to nine Premier League games with a performance that will quickly be forgotten.
Chances on goal were few and far between but Nicolas Jackson had two opportunities to put the Blues ahead in the first half.
SunSport's Kealan Hughes provides his ratings of the Chelsea squad...
Robert Sanchez - 7
Smart stop down to his right to deny Orel Mangala shortly before the break.
Pulled off an even better save when Jack Harrison looked certain to score in the second half.
Axel Disasi - 6
Dealt with the tricky Iliman Ndiaye reasonably well. Lacked an attacking threat which hindered Blues going forward.
Tosin Adarabioyo - 8
Made a brilliant block 15 minutes from time to stop Ndiaye finding the net with Sanchez beaten.
He also looked assured on the ball and comfortable doing the nitty-gritty every time he plays. Deserves more game time.
Levi Colwill - 7
An accomplished display as he limited Everton's chances on goal, worked well with Adarabioyo.
Malo Gusto - 5
Was caught out a few times by Harrison, who should have scored when he got in behind the left-back.
Almost opened the scoring in the first half but Pickford charged down his shot well.
Moises Caicedo - 7
Protected the defence well and cut out a lot of loose balls to prevent Everton getting near the Chelsea box.
Enzo Fernandez - 8
Perhaps Chelsea's best player. Saw a lot of the ball and kept possession nicely.
Had one shooting opportunity he aimed straight at the keeper.
Cole Palmer - 5
Squared well for Jackson's chance. Failed to influence the match in his usual manner, which is a credit to the Everton defence.
Pedro Neto - 5
Plenty of effort and endeavour but not really his day. Every time he did threaten he was quickly fouled.
Jadon Sancho - 5
Some nice touches and passes but rarely posed a threat.
Nicolas Jackson - 4
Spurned a big chance first half as Pickford was equal to a close range effort.
He then missed an even easier opportunity minutes later as he directed his header onto the post with the goal gaping.
Subs
Christopher Nkunku (for Jackson, 76mins) - 5
Noni Madueke (for Neto, 76mins) - 5
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