Everton He ended Chelsea’s streak at Stamford Bridge to bolster substitute Ellis Simms’ hopes of finishing with a dramatic late equalizer. Premier League survival
The 22-year-old player beat Kalidou Koulibaly to make the score 2-2 in the 89th minute. Kai HavertzThe penalty for Graham Potter looked like he had four consecutive wins for his side.
Joao Felix gave Chelsea the lead early in the second half of a game they had dominated so far, before being pulled back by Abdoulaye Doucoure’s header.
The home team once again had to lament the missed opportunities as the lack of killing instinct inside the penalty area blunted their smooth offensive play.
The first roar of anticipation from a noisy home support came early. Michael Keane’s header from a Ben Chilwell corner landed on the edge of the penalty area and narrowly hit the goal with a bouncing volley from Mateo Kovacic.
Returning to the team for the first time in two months, Christian Pulisic stepped in from the left and pulled the ball back for Chilwell, nudging him toward a tense Felix, whose contact was too light to pass Jordan Pickford.
The breadth of Chelsea’s game has challenged Everton’s defensive organization and charged fluently from both flanks with the sharp, energetic bests of Reece James and Chilwell. Enzo Fernandez hit the short and long balls with deadly precision, while Felix flexed the guests with his fascinating close control.
Joao Felix scores Chelsea’s first goal
(Getty)
Still, despite Chelsea’s best efforts, the halftime goal would not come. Seeing to flow through every promising attack, Felix tried with a trained effort, flying straight into Pickford’s gloves from 18 yards. A clever free-kick move ended when Fernandez’s low shot was blocked.
The hosts had started the game at the bottom half of the table, but the streak and the feeling that Potter knew his favorite starting lineup and shape at the end had lifted Stamford Bridge’s mood. Even with Raheem Sterling injured, they charged alongside each other like a team that was comfortable, full of spirit and faith.
The second half started with Chelsea pressure. Still excellent from start to finish, Chilwell passed from the left and Havertz went up to bolster the goal that was defeated by Pickford with a low header. On the rebound, Keane narrowly beat Felix on the ball and cleared it.
The goal was the architecture of Chelsea’s two best players. Fernandez made another great pass that landed perfectly on Chilwell’s left foot, who was padding his middle in the middle. Keane was the first player to hit the ball for Everton, but the defender was too unstable to make good contact. Half-opening reached Felix, who tapped, took aim, and with deft precision rolled the ball off Pickford’s far post.
Keane pretty much made up for his defensive error and evaded his pointer as the ball was kicked in by Demarai Gray, but failed to make the half-deserved touch.
Visitors were encouraged and leveled up after 20 minutes. James Tarkowski took a corner from the right over Chelsea’s defense, putting his head close to the ball, and as the ball landed in the six-yard penalty area, Doucoure swung the fastest over the line as Havertz tried to clear the hook in vain. .
Chelsea responded like a team that came alive with a newfound confidence. James earned a penalty when he was barreled down by Tarkowski. This gave Havertz a chance to retake the lead he had duly taken and sent Pickford down the wrong path.
But Everton were undefeated. A minute after the last minute, Doucoure threw the ball in to Simms, who leapt beyond a weak fight from Koulibaly and flanked Kepa Arrizabalaga to secure what could be an invaluable point in Everton’s fight for survival.