FULL TIME: Chelsea 1 – 0 Everton
A heart breaking end of the game for Everton, who defending so well, and went down to 10-men right at the end of the game, but in the end the league leaders were too good. They remain at the top of the table with a rather unconvincing win at Stamford Bridge.
Nil-all at half time, and with how well these sides were defending it looked like it would end that way. Both sides had their chances but it was the keepers who really shines.
Peter Cech with an incredible save, denying Lukaku right in front of goal in what really should have been a goal.
That was the best chance that didn’t end in a goal, with both Howard and Cech making difficult saves look easy.
Some tempers flared at the end of the game, that saw Chelsea win a foul and a red card be issued for Gareth Barry, who was already set to serve a two-match ban, now making it three.
The goal came right after, Howard could not stop the power of Willian, right at the end of the game.
Chelsea held on, and got the three points.
League leaders Chelsea host 12th placed Everton, as Jose Mourinho’s side look to extend their seven-point lead at the top of the table. Join us on The Roar from 6:45am (AEDT) for live scores and commentary.
After a 1-all draw against second-placed Manchester City and a 2-1 win over Aston Villa, Chelsea have found themselves in a phenomenal position on the Premier League table; seven points ahead of Manchester City having played the same amount of matches.
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho doesn’t think much of the gap, claiming their lead is “nothing”.
Defender Nemanja Matic believes a win is vital for Chelsea’s title hopes.
“Now at home we have to win,” Matic told Chelseafc.com. “We know that it is also going to difficult but if we want to be champions we have to win.
“It doesn’t matter if it is with six goals or 1-0, we just need three points.”
Chelsea with be without striker Diego Costa, the current season’s leading goal scorer will be serving the last of his three-match ban. Felipe Luis is also in doubt with a calf injury. Cesc Fabregas however could make his return.
Everton will travel to Stamford Bridge looking to end a horror run away from home against Chelsea, which stands at 0 victories in 19 Premier League matches.
Coming off a nil-all draw in the Merseyside derby against Liverpool, the mid-table Toffees will be eager to climb the ladder and humble Chelsea in the process.
Romelu Lukaku will make his first appearance at Stamford Bridge since permanently moving to Everton from Chelsea, while Steven Naismith has scored in three of his last four Premier League appearances against Chelsea, and he will be looking to extend that impressive run at Stamford Bridge.
Roberto Martinez’s side could be without Leighton Baines and Steven Pienaar, who may be joining Tim Howard, Leon Osman and Aiden McGeady on the injured list.
The last time these two sides met they entertained a crowd of 39,000 a Goodison Park in a thrilling contest that saw nine goals scored. Two early goals from Chelsea didn’t break Everton’s spirit, as the Toffees fought right to the final whistle, only to do down 3-6 after a late surge by Chelsea.
Expect Everton to put on a better defensive display, only to suffer the same fate.
Prediction
Chelsea 2 – 0 Everton
Will Chelsea extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table, or can Everton finally beat the league leaders at Stamford Bridge? Join us from 6:45am (AEDT) to find out.
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
Thank you all for joining us for this live blog, we look forward to seeing you all again soon!
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
Here are the results from other fixtures: FT: Manchester United 3 - 1 Burnley FT: Southampton 0 - 0 West Ham United FT: Stoke City 1 - 4 Manchester City 84': Crystal Palace 1 -1 Newcastle United 84': West Bromwich Albion 2 - 0 Swansea City
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
MATCH RESULT: Chelsea 1 - 0 Everton A heart breaking end of the game for Everton, who defending so well, and went down to 10-men right at the end of the game, but in the end the league leaders were too good. They remain at the top of the table with a rather unconvincing win at Stamford Bridge. Nil-all at half time, and with how well these sides were defending it looked like it would end that way. Both sides had their chances but it was the keepers who really shines. Peter Cech with an incredible save, denying Lukaku right in front of goal in what really should have been a goal. That was the best chance that didn't end in a goal, with both Howard and Cech making difficult saves look easy. Some tempers flared at the end of the game, that saw Chelsea win a foul and a red card be issued for Gareth Barry, who was already set to serve a two-match ban, now making it three. The goal came right after, Howard could not stop the power of Willian, right at the end of the game. Chelsea held on, and got the three points.
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
90+4' - A Chelsea throw in ends the game. What a way to win. Willian right at the end of the game. The final score: CHELSEA 1 - 0 EVERTON
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
90+3' - Chelsea just playing the ball around now. CHELSEA 1 - 0 EVERTON
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
90+2' - Can Chelsea hold on? CHELSEA 1 - 0 EVERTON
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
90+1' - The goal scorer Willian comes off for Gary Cahill. Attacker comes off for a defender. CHELSEA 1 - 0 EVERTON
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
90' - Four added minutes. Four minutes for a ten man Everton to make a come back. CHELSEA 1 - 0 EVERTON
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
89' - GOAL CHELSEA The effects of 10 men showing for Everton! Fabregas' free kick is punched away as Willian hits the ball into the bottom corner of the net off a half volley. Might have taken a deflection, but what a hit! CHELSEA 1 - 0 EVERTON
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
88' - McCarthy gets a yellow card as well! So does Fabregas. How did Ivanovic not get anything there? CHELSEA 0 - 0 EVERTON
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
87' - Teams are getting heated now, as they need to be broken up! Gareth Barry is given a second yellow and has been sent off! CHELSEA 0 - 0 EVERTON
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
86' - GOAL DISALLOWED! Matic's shot is deflected onto Ivanovic and it goes in! But Ivanovic was offside! CHELSEA 0 - 0 EVERTON
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
85' - Fabregas' corner headed away by Gibson. CHELSEA 0 - 0 EVERTON
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
84' - Matic wins a corner. Five minutes to go. CHELSEA 0 - 0 EVERTON
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
83' - Willians free kick is punched away well by Howard. CHELSEA 0 - 0 EVERTON
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
82' - Chelsea piling on the pressure. CHELSEA 0 - 0 EVERTON
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
81' - Fabregas wins a corner. CHELSEA 0 - 0 EVERTON
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
80' - Hazard's shot is miscued. Goal kick. CHELSEA 0 - 0 EVERTON
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
80' - Both sides are going for the win. Could be a very entertaining end to the game. CHELSEA 0 - 0 EVERTON
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
80' - End to end action! Both teams look like scoring! CHELSEA 0 - 0 EVERTON