Chelsea title charge stalls as Everton hold Blues

Everton’s Bernard (left) and Chelsea’s Cesar Azpilicueta battle for the ball at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea’s title challenge temporarily stalled as Everton held them to a 0-0 draw in a frenetic clash at Stamford Bridge.

Despite the lack of goals, both teams did their bit to produce a highly entertaining clash, one in which Chelsea created enough chances to win, only for Maurizio Sarri’s side to rue their lack of a finishing touch.

Everton, who have struggled at Stamford Bridge with just one win in the Premier League era – a span of 27 matches now – had the best of the opening exchanges. Andre Gomes attacked their first corner well but directed his header wide under pressure from Antonio Rudiger, and Yerry Mina went oh-so-close to getting on the end of Gylfi Sigurdsson’s free-kick, with David Luiz getting just enough of a touch to put the Colombia international off.

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AS IT HAPPENED: Chelsea v Everton

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Then Bernard, seeking his first goal for the Merseyside club, produced a brilliant first touch which allowed him to drill in a shot that just faded away from Kepa’s goal.

Chelsea were putting an undefeated run, stretching back to the Community Shield, on the line with their 1-0 win over BATE in the Europa League on Thursday guaranteeing the Blues’ qualification from their group as leaders – and taking that unbeaten streak to 17 matches in all competitions. While they extended that run to 18 with this draw, the killer touch eluded them.

While the hosts had plenty of possession, they had few clear-cut chances early on, although Lucas Digne had to produce two excellent defensive headers to avert Chelsea danger in the space of a minute, when the Blues eventually pushed forward.

Mina saw an early, and somewhat harsh yellow card for what was deemed a foul on Eden Hazard, which earned a free-kick in a central position, but Alonso’s curling strike just did not bend enough, skimming the far post with 23 minutes gone.

All to often, Eden Hazard had to come deep often to pick up possession for Chelsea, but one brilliant first touch allowed him dribble and to cross into the danger area where Willian and Morata were lurking. The ball clipped of Digne’s thigh and broke to N’Golo Kante, whose follow-up shot was blocked.

Chelsea’s first real shot on target came with 38 minutes gone. Willian’s free-kick picked out Alonso, who lashed a fierce volley goalwards on the angle of the six-yard box, only for Everton keeper Jordan Pickford to produce a pair of strong hands and avert the danger.

Morata had a half-hearted penalty shout waived away by referee Kevin Friend after going down late under Mina’s challenge, but the Spaniard had taken a poor touch before he went down a little too easily.

While there was plenty of quality in the first period, there was little final product and it all got a little tetchy before the break when Rudiger rolled around holding his nose, claiming the diminutive Bernard had used his head illegally. Friend booked the pair of them for adopting an aggressive attitude. It was the correct decision, although Chelsea fans were incandescent and the perceived injustice.

Chelsea started on the front foot in the second period and Morata, who diverted the ball goalwards after it came at him quickly, forced Pickford to make a stop at full-stretch.

Former Arsenal man Theo Walcott was the subject of the Chelsea boo-boys, but he was a little unlucky when running full pelt to get on the end of Sigurdsson’s crossfield pass, only to take a bad touch. It looked a great chance spurned and the hosts needed no reminder that seven of the eight goals they had conceded coming into this had been at home.

Chelsea’s N’Golo Kante pulls back Everton’s Lucas Digne

Chelsea missed penetration from their midfield and it was noticeable that neither Mateo Kovacic, Jorginho or Kante were prepared to gamble when Hazard drilled a cross that evaded everyone.

Everton’s attacks became more sporadic, but they were still dangerous on the break and Sigurdsson drilled in a shot that Kepa did well to tip over. From the resulting corner, there was a shout for handball against Rudiger, which was rightly denied by Friend, as the German had turned his back on the ball.

Chelsea were also denied a penalty when Morata was held by Mina, but his exaggerated dive was too much for Friend and he waived away appeals.

Bernard immediately had a glorious opportunity to give Everton the lead but got his legs tangled up when attempting to pull the ball back after rounding Kepa, and at the other end Willian fired wide after Hazard put him through when it seemed easier to score.

Kevin Friend is surrounded by Everton players protesting a decision against Lucas Digne

Pickford had to back-peddle and tip the ball over the Everton bar when Hazard went around two defenders before firing in a shot that looped off Mina and almost sailed into the net. As Chelsea pressed, Alonso’s acute drive scraped the far post with Pickford beaten.

It was a breathless second half and Chelsea had the ball in the net with nine minutes remaining only for Morata’s effort to rightly be ruled out for offside. Seconds later, Hazard got in behind the Everton defence, only for a shot on the outside of his right foot to drift past Pickford’s post.

Even the introduction of former Everton man Ross Barkley with five minutes remaining failed to have the desired effect and his ballooned shot tickled the Everton fans, and seemed to sum up the afternoon for the home side.

What does it mean? Chelsea slip up

Chelsea have always seemed to find a way to win so far under Sarri, but despite dominating possession and creating plenty of opportunities in the second half, the Blues’ attempts proved fruitless, and with such congestion at the top, a win on Sunday could well have been crucial.

Pickford to the rescue

Marco Silva’s team limited the space for Chelsea well, but when the Blues did get through Everton’s ranks, they found England goalkeeper Pickford in top form.

Jorginho marked out

Everton set up to be compact, with Sigurdsson crucial in eliminating the space for Jorginho – who was perhaps fortunate to escape with just a booking for a high lunge on the Iceland international – to operate, forcing Chelsea into a more direct approach.

What’s next?

Chelsea travel to Wembley to face fellow high-fliers Tottenham on November 24, with Everton welcoming Cardiff City to Goodison Park on the same day.