Chelsea beat Everton 1-0 at Stamford Bridge on Saturday to boost their hopes of qualifying for the UEFA Champions League.
MORE — Full match replay
Nicolas Jackson fired home in the first half to set them on their way, while Robert Sanchez made two big saves in the second half to secure the victory as Everton improved after the break.
MORE — Enzo Maresca reaction
With the win, their second-straight in the Premier League, Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea are on 60 points and momentarily move into fourth place. Everton remain on 38 points.
Caicedo, Lavia make huge difference for sturdy Blues
Chelsea have won back-to-back tight games to put themselves firmly in the Champions League hunt with four difficult games to go. They have Liverpool and Manchester United at home and travel to Newcastle and Nottingham Forest with those two away games huge in the race for Champions League qualification. These tight wins against Fulham and Everton in the last two have been intense and shown that Chelsea can hang in there, do the simple things well and handle the pressure. Robert Sanchez was forced to make two big saves in the second half as nerves did build, but overall Chelsea were deserved winners against Everton. Having Romeo Lavia back from injury was a big bonus and his energy in midfield was huge for the first 60 minutes as Chelsea had control of the game. There was a dip in that control when Lavia came off, which proved how important the oft-injured midfielder is. Moises Caicedo started this game at right back but drifted into midfield often and his energy and drive will be so important down the stretch as he seems to energize this Chelsea side. Noni Madueke was denied thrice by Pickford and Jackson took his goal well to give Maresca hope that two of his three attacking stars are back to their best as Cole Palmer was quiet again and has now gone 12 games without a goal. Still, Chelsea would have taken this position at the start of the season and they now have four huge clashes to finish off the job. If they can become more clinical, they’ll get over the line.
Chelsea vs Everton player ratings (via FotMob.com)
What’s next?
Chelsea head to Djurgarden in the Conference League semifinal first leg on Thursday, then host Liverpool on Sunday, May 4. Everton host Ipswich on Saturday, May 3.
Chelsea vs Everton score: 1-0
Jackson 27'
Chelsea vs Everton live updates! — By Joe Prince-Wright
Incredible save from Sanchez!
He’s been getting a lot of stick this season but that is some save. A cross comes in and McNeil’s effort looks to be flying in but somehow Sanchez springs to his right when he was going to his left and he flicks it out for a corner. Wonderful agility. That is a top save.
Jackson has the ball in the net but he’s offside
Cucurella’s shot from distance is pushed out by Pickford and it’s straight to Jackson who tucks it home... but he’s clearly offside. The flag is up and it’s checked and the goal does not stand. Still 1-0. Just over five minutes to go.
Everton pushing... but Pickford denied Madueke once again!
It’s all Everton and they’re pushing hard for an equalizer with Alcaraz winning the ball back in midfield and well on top. But Chelsea break at the other end and Madueke cuts inside and his low effort is surely going in, but Pickford pulls off another fine stop. That’s the third time Pickford has denied Madueke today.
Sanchez denies Beto!
Everton have been working hard but not really creating any chances, but this is a big one. Beto turns and smashes towards the far bottom corner but Robert Sanchez gets down well to save. That was a very similar effort to Jackson’s goal which flew in and that was Beto’s last act of the game. McNeil, Young and Chermiti are now on for Everton.
Pickford stops Madueke again
Chelsea have started the second half really well and Madueke picks up a short corner, turns quickly and smashes a low shot towards the bottom corner, but Pickford does well to save. Everton have made a half time sub with Alcaraz on for Ndiaye and are looking to spark counters.
Half time: Chelsea 1-0 Everton
Chelsea have been lively in attack and their wingers are causing plenty of problems. They’re good value for their lead. Jackson took his goal really well and now it’s all about Chelsea grabbing that crucial second goal. At times Everton have looked sharp on the counter, especially down their left, but they’re yet to have an effort on target.
Jackson fires Chelsea ahead! — Chelsea 1-0 Everton
Chalobah wins the ball back and Enzo Fernandez feeds it into Nicolas Jackson. He turns and drills a low finish past Pickford and Stamford Bridge erupts. That is Jackson’s first goal in over four months, and boy did Chelsea need that to settle everyone down. Head coach Enzo Maresca is delighted as he celebrates while he sits up in the stands as he’s suspended for the game today. That opening goal was coming for Chelsea!
Pickford denies Madueke!
A pretty even start but Chelsea are building up some pressure now and Madueke cuts inside from the left and his low shot is saved well by Jordan Pickford.
Chelsea lineup
Sanchez; Caicedo, Chalobah, Colwill, Cucurella; Lavia, Fernandez; Madueke, Palmer, Neto; Jackson
Everton lineup
Pickford; Patterson, O’Brien, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; Gueye, Garner; Harrison, Doucoure, Ndiaye; Beto
Chelsea team news, focus
OUT: Wesley Fofana (thigh - out for season), Mykhailo Mudryk (suspension), Omari Kellyman (hamstring - out for season), Marc Guiu (thigh) | QUESTIONABLE: Malo Gusto (thigh)
Everton team news, focus
OUT: James Tarkowski (thigh), Armando Broja (loan - unable to face parent club), Jesper Lindstrom (groin), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (thigh), Orel Mangala (knee)
Chelsea vs Everton prediction
The Blues are heavy favorites here and they haven’t lost in four Premier League matches while also postig just a single league loss since mid-February. They’ll be riding some vibes from the late comeback win at Fulham, and also be keeping form up as the Conference League semifinals begin and a trophy is expected back in London. And Everton won’t have one of its defensive rocks in James Tarkowski, likely pairing Jarrad Branthwaite with Michael Keane at center back. This may be tight, but it’ll be in favor of Chelsea. Chelsea 3-1 Everton.
Chelsea vs Everton preview
Enzo Maresca’s Blues sit sixth on the Premier League table with 57 points, above Aston Villa on goal differential and two points back of fifth-place Newcastle United in the race to qualify for the UEFA Champions League. Third-place Man City have 61 points to top this crowded field seeking one of three spots in next year’s tournament.
Everton’s stabilization under David Moyes has the club free of relegation worry but also outside of the top half by 10 points. The Toffees have are 5W-5D-3L record since he was reappointed to the post in early January, a 74-point pace over 38 games.
Everton’s three losses under Moyes have come to Aston Villa, Liverpool, and Manchester City. The club have also draw Liverpool and Arsenal while beating Nottingham Forest. They’re no pushovers, and Chelsea will need to perform in order to stay positioned within striking distance of the top five.
How to watch Chelsea vs Everton live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 7:30am ET Saturday
Venue: Stamford Bridge — London
TV Channel: USA
Streaming: Watch live on NBC.com
