Everton vs Chelsea LIVE: Premier League result and final score as Jordan Pickford makes stunning save
Everton 1-0 Chelsea: Follow for reaction as Everton claimed a vital win at Goodison Park
Everton moved two points away from Premier League safety as Richarlison’s goal earned Frank Lampard a priceless victory against former side Chelsea at a raucous Goodison Park.
Burnley’s victory over Watford yesterday left the Toffees five points adrift in the relegation zone but Everton responded in style in front of their own fans to boost their relegation hopes, as Leeds were dragged into the fight.
Everton made life difficult for Chelsea in a heated first half that saw five yellow cards but few goalscoring chances. Richarlison then punished Cesar Azpilicueta as the Chelsea captain was caught in possession, before finishing beyond Edouard Mendy.
Vitaliy Mykolenko wasted a golden chance to double Everton’s lead, before Jordan Pickford made a series of stunning saves to rescue Everton at the other end. The England goalkeeper somehow kept the ball out as he scrambled across his goalline to reach Antonio Rudiger’s shot from close range.
It saved Everton, who missed the chance to seal the win as Demarai Gray wasted an opportunity on the breakaway. Lampard needed to wait through seven minutes of additional time but the Toffees held on to claim a vital victory to boost their survival hopes.
Relive the drama of Everton vs Chelsea below, ahead of Arsenal’s visit to West Ham:
Everton 0-0 Chelsea
30 mins: James does well to evade the challenge of Mykolenko and stand a cross up for Alonso but as the Spaniard brings it down Everton are able to pinch the ball away from him.
Everton are defending well. But they need to show more in the final third if they are going to have any hope of winning this game.
Everton 0-0 Chelsea
28 mins: Another PA announcement says the exercise they were carrying out has been completed. Far from it on the pitch though - still an hour to go.
Chelsea still have the ball. They have had nearly 80 per cent of possession over the last 10 minutes.
Everton 0-0 Chelsea
26 mins: Everton now firmly dropping into their deep defensive block as Chelsea probe for a way through. The visitors are forced all the way back to Mendy though as the home supporters applaud their team’s pressing.
Everton are going to have to cope with lengthy periods without the ball today.
Everton 0-0 Chelsea
24 mins: Gorgeous from Loftus-Cheek. A wonderful flick leaves the Everton midfield in his wake. He drives through the centre before laying it off to Mount. The England man looks for Havertz at the back post but Holgate is just there in front of him to crucially head clear.
Chelsea getting on top.
Tottenham 1-0 Leicester (Kane, 22)
Elsewhere, Harry Kane has scored for Tottenham against Leicester in their pursuit of a top four place.
Everton 0-0 Chelsea
22 mins: The corner is cleared away at the front post and Everton are then awarded a free-kick in their own half as the hosts regroup.
Few PA announcements over the tannoy. A rather strange time to do them - mid-game.
Everton 0-0 Chelsea
20 mins: Mount with a couple of lovely deft touches to bring Chelsea clear - a flick with his foot and then a nice keepy-up with his head. The England international has been impressive so far.
Havertz slides the ball to James on the right and he earns the visitors a corner.
Everton 0-0 Chelsea
18 mins: YELLOW! First booking for the day goes the way of Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger. He brings down Coleman as the Everton captain charges down the right flank.
Gordon’s free-kick is shanked towards the back post and Havertz comfortably deals with it.
Everton 0-0 Chelsea
17 mins: The free-kick is taken by James but it’s straight into the arms of Pickford.
Everton then break up the other end of the pitch as Gray receives the ball inside the penalty area but his tame effort enables Mendy to safely get down and make a routine save.
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