Chelsea bounced back into contention for next season's Champions League with a 1-0 home win over Everton in the Premier League on Saturday thanks to a fine first-half strike by Nicolas Jackson. The Senegal striker, fed by Enzo Fernandez, drove low into the bottom corner past a diving Jordan Pickford in the 27th minute for his first goal in four months.
Enzo Maresca's Chelsea should have had more but were thwarted by a stubborn defence and Pickford, who kept out a series of shots, notably from Noni Madueke. Chelsea keeper Robert Sanchez also pulled off a finger-tip save in the 88th minute to deny Dwight McNeil and stay in front.
The result lifted Chelsea to fourth in the table, one point behind Manchester City. Everton are 13th. Read the game back below with our dedicated match blog, featuring expert insight and analysis from Malik Ouzia at Stamford Bridge.
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Full-time!
95min: A big, big win for Chelsea, who simply must keep on winning.
Chelsea 1-0 Everton
91min: Four minutes added on.
WHAT A SAVE!
87min: McNeil denied by a full-stretch save from Sanchez after going the wrong way.
Does that clinch the three points?
NO GOAL!
85min: Jackson thinks he has netted a second, tucking home from close range after Cucurella’s shot is saved, but he’s a yard offside.
Chelsea 1-0 Everton
80min: Palmer’s decision-making his been poor today. A player low on confidence.
Chelsea 1-0 Everton
78min: Sancho replaces Madueke.
Chelsea 1-0 Everton
76min: A first corner of the match for Everton but it sails into Sanchez’s arms.
Chelsea 1-0 Everton
74min: Almost stunning from Madeueke, cutting inside on his weak foot and drilling a shot at the far post which Pickford does brilliantly to save.
Chelsea 1-0 Everton
72min: It’s becoming a bit frantic again as Everton start to assert themselves. Lots of sloppy mistakes isn’t helping.
Malik Ouzia at Stamford Bridge
I’m not sure Moises Caicedo likes playing right-back. In the 30 seconds he’s been back in midfield he’s looked like a man determined to make clear he should have started there.
