Chelsea 2-2 Everton: Late Ellis Simms goal gives Sean Dyche’s side a point at Stamford Bridge
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Updated 18/03/2023 at 23:01 GMT
Everton came from behind twice to salvage a point against Chelsea as Ellis Simms scored his first goal for The Toffees to edge them ahead of the drop zone. Goals from Joao Felix and Kai Havertz, who scored a penalty, put Chelsea ahead but they were pegged back by Abdoulaye Doucoure and Simms. Chelsea are now 10th in the Premier League table ahead of the international break.
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Ellis Simms came off the bench to hit a last-gasp equaliser and earn struggling Everton a hard-fought 2-2 draw at Chelsea.
Graham Potter’s hosts had bossed the first half but struggled to find a way through with Mateo Kovacic fizzing their best effort inches wide.
Chelsea continued on the front foot after the break and finally took the lead when Joao Felix fired in off the post to net his first goal at Stamford Bridge on 52 minutes.
Everton had rarely threatened but became more adventurous after conceding and once again demonstrated their set-piece prowess when Abdoulaye Doucoure flicked home James Tarkowski’s header from a right-wing corner on 69 minutes.
Chelsea hit straight back, however, and Kai Havertz made it three goals in three games when he coolly fired in from the penalty spot 14 minutes from time.
The visitors looked like suffering another defeat on their travels but substitute Simms earned a share of the spoils in the last minute when he surged in from the left and slotted a low shot beyond Kepa.
The result leaves Chelsea sitting just inside the top half in 10th spot, 11 points off fourth-placed Tottenham with a game in hand. Everton’s winless away run stretches to 12 league matches but a morale-boosting draw sees them climb to 15th, two points above the drop zone.
Chelsea return to action following the international break at home to Aston Villa on April 1, whilst Everton host Tottenham on April 3.
Talking point - Dyche impact continues to show as Chelsea's rise is slightly checked
It had looked like Chelsea would make it four wins on the spin and they dominated for long spells, but Everton are beginning to look like they are made of sterner stuff under Sean Dyche – and so it proved.
Potter’s hopes of an unlikely push for the top four have taken a dent but he will still feel they have turned the corner after a horrible run of just one win in 11 matches prior to the recent resurgence. They won’t quite have the spring in their step they would have hoped for heading into the international break, but their trajectory is certainly on the up with a Champions League tie with Real Madrid also on the horizon.
As for Everton, Dyche had spoken about needing to change the mentality of his players to get results on the road ahead of this contest, and this was a great example of a grittier spirit that he is instilling. They refused to accept defeat and 22-year-old super sub, Simms was the unlikely hero to really lift belief that they will beat the drop with 10 ‘cup finals’ to go.
Player of the match - Joao Felix (Chelsea)
Netted his second goal in blue and demonstrated his class with a series of wonderful touches and turns. Capped it all off with a lovely, low strike and appears to be developing into a bit of fans’ favourite at the Bridge.
Player Ratings
CHELSEA: Kepa 6, Fofana 6, Koulibaly 6, Badiashile 6, James 7, Fernandez 8, Kovacic 8, Chilwell 8, Pulisic 6, Havertz 7, Felix 8. Subs: Gallagher 6, Loftus-Cheek n/a, Chalobah n/a, Chukwuemeka n/a.
EVERTON: Pickford 7, Coleman 7, Keane 6, Tarkowski 7, Godfrey 6, Iwobi 7, Onana 7, Gueye 7, Doucoure 7, McNeil 7, Gray 6. Subs: Simms 7, Mykolenko n/a.
Match Highlights
05’ CHELSEA CHANCE! Everton struggle to deal with a right-wing corner and when Keane's header drops invitingly for Kovacic, the Chelsea midfielder lashes inches wide with a shot from 15 yards out.
50’ CHELSEA CHANCE! Havertz's header from Chilwell’s left-wing cross lacks power and direction, allowing Pickford to push it to safety.
52’ – GOAL! – Chelsea 1-0 Everton. Felix seizes upon a half-cleared cut back from Chilwell and angles a low strike into the far corner via the post from just inside the area.
69’ – GOAL! – Chelsea 1-1 Everton. The Toffees grab an equaliser and it comes from a right-wing corner. Tarkowski heads towards goal at the far post and Doucoure flicks it in ahead of Kepa.
76’ – GOAL! – Chelsea 2-1 Everton. Havertz steps up and calmly beats Pickford from the spot. The penalty was awarded after James played a one-two and was brought down by Tarkowski in the box.
89’ – GOAL! – Chelsea 2-2 Everton. Simms levels it for The Toffees! It's his first goal for Everton as he bursts past his marker on the left side of the box and rifles a low shot under Kepa.
Key Stat
Everton are winless in 28 top-flight games away to Chelsea (D13, L15). It is now the longest winless run by one Premier League club away to another.
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