Second at Christmas. Four points off leaders Liverpool. Just two games lost in the Premier League. You can't ask for much more, to be honest.

Going away to a bogey ground in Goodison Park for the final time in the Premier League, many were convinced the script-writers were at it again on Sunday afternoon. Extremely windy and for the most part, wet, conditions on Merseyside. The perfect storm for the Toffees, you could say...

It is understandable that some Chelsea supporters felt a huge sense of frustration post-match. The visitors certainly had the chances to win the game - particularly in the first-half - but drawing away at Everton, given the circumstances, too, is really not the end of the world.

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Some may have expected Enzo Maresca to come out and vent his frustration post-match but that was far from the case. In fact, the Italian said he was happier with what happened at Goodison to seven days prior when his team came through a tough match to record all three points at home to Brentford.

"I'm absolutely happy," Maresca said. "I just said to the players that I am more happy today than the Brentford game. The reason why is because I was quite worried about today's game; a tricky game, a tricky stadium, a tricky team.

"They are defensively top. They are one of the five best teams in Europe in terms of clean sheets. You struggle to create chances against them and it was not an easy game. You have to deal and you have to learn to play different games; long balls, second balls, set-pieces. Football is not just what we do on the ball, it is also how you defend and deal with that.

"Like I said, more happy today than the Brentford game. For sure, prepared the game like always to try and win the game but sometimes there is also another team there that tries to do the same, so we are happy today."

On my train journey home, one fan said, sensibly: "A 0-0 at Sean Dyche's Everton when there's 50mph wind... I'm okay with that." He was right. Chelsea should be okay with it. Not over the moon, but okay with it. The result in the context is certainly a big talking point and there are plenty more below...

Palmer's near-genius moment

Cole Palmer was frustrated on Sunday. You could see with his body language. Everton did a fine job of crowding Chelsea's star man out and making it near-impossible for the Blues' No.20 to create anything on Merseyside.

However, there was one moment where Palmer nearly showed off his genius. Around 40 yards from goal, James Tarkowski brought down Nicolas Jackson. The Everton players were not too happy with the foul being awarded and goalkeeper Jordan Pickford came rushing out of his goal to vent his anger and frustration at the referee.

While that was all happening, Palmer had the ball in his hands. He quickly placed it down on the floor and looked for an audacious lob over Pickford. Ashley Young, as street-wise as the former Manchester United man is, saw the danger a mile away and blocked Palmer from taking the cheeky quick free-kick.

Who knows whether it would have gone in, and then if it would've been allowed? On the former, though, knowing Palmer, I think it may well have done.

Everton did Everton things - and it frustrated Chelsea

Chelsea ended Sunday afternoon's match with their worst xG of the season thus far - at 0.77. Everton are very good at doing what they did against the Blues. It is classic Sean Dyche football - and whether you like it or not, it is effective.

On the flipside, though, Chelsea produced perhaps their best defensive display of the campaign. Their xGA was the best it has been this season - at 0.39.

While it was a collective effort from the Blues, there were two standout performers from a Chelsea point of view. Tosin Adarabioyo used his physical expertise to frustrate the Toffees and in particular Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who never had a sniff against the Chelsea centre-back.

Tosin also produced a world-class block in the second-half to deny what looked to be a certain Everton goal. The defender was imperious for the Blues alongside Levi Colwill, who also enjoyed a good game.

Robert Sanchez, too, was impressive for the visitors in Liverpool. The Spanish goalkeeper has received plenty of criticism this season for some of his performances but he made himself counted against Everton at the weekend.

While not having the busiest game, Sanchez made a save in each half that proved to be crucial for Chelsea. One on Idrissa Gueye from the edge of the box and the even better one coming from a Jack Harrison shot in the second period.

For all the criticism he has received this season, it is only fair we give Sanchez his flowers when he does well.