Match Report

This emotional, tortuous, often agonising and occasionally thrilling season feels like it will never end but it will conclude in three weeks’ time with Everton’s fate decided one way or the other. If this grand old team manages to complete its escape from the jaws of relegation and the possible catastrophe that would come with it, this match and its potentially iconic images and moments will go down in Goodison Park folklore.

So, too, will Richarlison and Jordan Pickford whose heroics at either end of the pitch gave the Blues the edge they needed to eke out a 1-0 victory over the reigning European Champions, one that brought them to within two points of Burnley and Leeds United above them in the table and kept survival in the hands of Frank Lampard and his players.

Everton’s unforgivably parlous position is down, in large part, to costly defeats to four of the sides around them in the bottom 6 of the Premier League but their bid for salvation has been bolstered by important points collected against teams towards the other end of the table — four against Manchester United, three so far against Arsenal and now four from Chelsea. With more testicular fortitude from the match officials, they would have at least been given the chance to pick up a couple more from the top two via the penalty spot as well.

The Goodison derby aside, the bigger occasions have brought better things out of this Everton side and they will have received all the adrenaline they needed by an unprecedented show of support from their indefatigable supporters who packed the streets around Goodison Park, thick with blue smoke, to welcome the team coach long before kick-off.

An atmosphere that somehow surpassed the one that greeted Leeds here in February and Newcastle in mid-March carried through into the ground, continued right the way through almost 100 fraught minutes, and lingered long after the final whistle had blown was rewarded with a home win and three almost indescribably precious points.

Burnley’s win over Watford 24 hours earlier may have instilled a premature sense of fatalism among many Evertonians on social media but to a man, woman and child, the fans that attended today brought their lungs, voices and fighting spirit to the Old Lady to help drag the players over the line once more.

It was a backs-to-the-wall, all-for-the-cause performance that was short on flair and possession — Lampard’s side have averaged just 25% possession over the last three games — but one typified by Anthony Gordon’s running, Seamus Coleman’s scowl-faced tenacity, Yerry Mina’s hilarious shit-housery and Richarlison’s willingness to run himself into the ground.

The Brazilian’s commitment to chase lost causes and hassle Chelsea’s much-lauded defence was, obviously, key to Everton’s victory, as was the kind of clinical finish that eluded him against Leicester before he bobbled in that stoppage-time equaliser. Today, he forced the first error to lead to a goal in Cesar Azpilicueta’s career and it set the platform on which the entire Toffees team could set out their stall to defend.

And defend that lead they certainly did, dropping into Lampard’s astutely-selected back five when they didn’t have the ball, with another bank of four ahead of that to compress the space and deny Chelsea the room on which they thrive to operate.

And on the few occasions that Thomas Tuchel’s men did manage to fashion clear openings, Pickford was there channelling Neville Southall to preserve an absolutely vital clean sheet. Depending on how this season pans out, two stops in the space of a minute will go down in the annals as being match-winners in their own right — the first a near-miraculous stop from Azpilicueta after the England No 1 had scrambled from one side of his goal to the other once Mason Mount’s half-volley had hit both uprights, and the second a brave, point-blank block that he took full in the face to deny Antonio Rüdiger.

Spurred on by the deafening crowd, Everton harried and pressed Chelsea in the early stages and won an early free-kick that Gordon fired disappointingly off target before Mount curled a shot inches over at the other end.

Facing the club where he became a playing legend, Lampard had mirrored Chelsea's formation with a back three of his own as Mina returned alongside Mason Holgate and Coleman while Alex Iwobi and Vitalii Mykolenko lined up as wing-backs. Fabian Delph was restored to central midfield as Abdoulaye Doucouré kept his place and Allan started on the bench.

The visitors dominated the ball but were largely kept in check by their hosts and chances created were fairly even in the first half. Mina had an 11th-minute penalty claim waved away and Gordon bounced a left-foot shot wide before things got increasingly tetchy late in the half. Coleman's excellent recovering tackle prevented Timo Werner from threatening while Doucouré had a shot charged down for Everton.

The second period had barely begun before Everton made the breakthrough. Richarlison and Gray had led the press and the pair combined to hassle Azpilicueta just outside his own penalty area. The Brazilian blocked the Spaniard's attempted pass out, Gray knocked the loose ball back to him and Richarlison stroked it past Edouard Mendy and into the far corner.

As they did against Newcastle and Manchester United, the Blues and their baying faithful now had something to hold onto but they had a golden chance to double the lead almost straight away. Gordon slipped a pass inside to Gray who laid it on for Doucouré and when the midfielder picked out Mykolenko's run, the Ukrainian was in with a clear opening but he sliced a left-foot shot past the left upright.

While that stung Chelsea into greater adventure going forward, they couldn't find a way past Pickford. Mount's shot in the 59th minute smacked off one post, glanced the other as it flashed across Everton's goal where Azpilicueta was free to rattle it back on target.

Pickford had got back to his feet superbly, though, and made an incredible stop at his near post where Mina knocked it behind for a corner. That set-piece ended at the feet of Rüdiger but the goalkeeper threw himself in the way to charge it down as Everton's goal survived.

A shove on Gray in the opposite box went unpunished following a check by Video Assistant Referee, John Brooks. Rüdiger sent a speculative effort sailing over and Kai Havertz headed wide but Pickford wasn't tested again until Ruben Loftus-Cheek strode forward and unloaded from 25 yards but the keeper batted it over.

Richarlison hobbled off for Salomon Rondon with 10 minutes of normal time left but it was Gray who came close to making the points safe in the 85th minute. Allan, a substitute himself for Delph who was playing on a yellow card, linked up with Doucouré who found Gray but his attempted curler flew a whisker over the crossbar.

And Gordon forced a late save from Mendy as he scampered away down the left before the fourth official's board went up with an unwelcome tally of 7 added minutes.

The Blues held firm, though, as Pickford got down low to push away Kovacic's shot in a crowder Everton box while Rondon and sub Dele Alli almost forced the ball home at the other end before referee Kevin Friend finally blew the whistle to the relief of the fraught Goodison faithful.

Lyndon Lloyd

Matchday Updates

With games left getting fewer and the precipitous gap above the Bottom 3 getting wider, Everton produced a massive victory at Goodison Park against Frank Lampard's old club, Chelsea, thanks to some brilliant saves from Jordan Pickford.

Yerry Mina was back in Everton's squad after being rested for the Merseyside derby and he was joined by Dominic Calvert-Lewin who had been training again this week. Mina started but Calvert-Lewin only made the bench after disappointing recent displays prior to his absence from last weekend's loss.

Donny van de Beek and André Gomes were both battling groin strains and Ben Godfrey was ruled out for “a few weeks” with the thigh issue he sustained in the warm-up at Anfield. But Tom Davies was fit enough to return after a long absence with knee ligament damage.

Everton kicked off amidst a tremendous atmosphere and Gordon immediately won a dangerous free-kick. But Gordon completely wasted it, launching the ball high over the Chelsea goal. Another long ball was just too long for Richarlison as Everton tried to play on the front foot but Gordon slipped and lost it. Another long ball up to the lone Richarlison only allowed Chelsea a chance to calm things down after a full-throttle Everton start.

But Everton were keen to get forward and Richarlison was caught by James, Chelsea giving up another free-kick that Gordon whipped in well but Rudiger headed it away. Chelsea worked hard to slow things down and hold possession. They worked it for the first shot of the game after Havertz was fouled but the ref played advantage and Mount shot just over Pickford's bar.

Gray did well to pressure Azpilicueta for a throw-in, and Holgate stepped up for the long throw, headed away but they recycled and Yerry Mina felt an arm on his shoulder and collapsed pathetically. No penalty. Richarlison tried to break but quickly had three Chelsea defenders converging on him.

The pattern of slow Chelsea possession started to dominate, really challenging Everton to get the ball and do something with it. But when they did, a panicked clearance saw the ball back with the yellow shirts of Chelsea, who then won a free-kick wide right which James kindly delivered to Pickford.

Everton broke fast and got the ball up to Gray but he was offside. Coleman did not like the way Rudiger took him out and pushed Rudiger when he was down. Gordon's free-kick was again cleared. Gordon then tried to advance but lost the ball as the game became as bit scrappy, Chelsea then winning their first corner, cleared by Gray.

Chelsea were taking increasingly effective control of the game, but Everton looked to break, with Gray fouled and the ball to Iwobi not good enough. Chelsea attacked and caused havoc in the Everton defence which just about held out as the ball pinged around the Everton area. Havertz and Mina had a little wrestling match that concerned Mr Friend.

Mykolenko got wide and made space for the cross but it was very easy for Mendy to pluck out of the air. Delph avoided a booking for a poor tackle from behind. Everton did well to stall a Chelsea attack and, as Gordon tried to break, he felt he was fouled and went down like a sack of potatoes.

Everton were doing a good pressing job, Mina and Mount clashing then Coleman really going at Azpilicueta, both getting booked. A feisty spell followed as Richarlison tried to force the action wide right. But Chelsea recovered and got things going their way again, immune to Everton's itching for a fight.

Another potential flashpoint with Richarlison and Havertz earned Everton a free-kick and Richarlison did well to work his way in from the left but then he totally wasted his cross, behind. Chelsea then attacked through Loftus-Cheek and Everton had to defend, with a superb block by Coleman.

Everton got a couple more long throws into the Chelsea area but they were cleared as half-time approached. Gordon was desperate to create something, but couldn't. Delph made a late tackle in added time and he saw yellow.

The second half had hardly begun when,n from nothing Richarlison pounced on some hesitation by Azpilicueta, blocking his clearance and Gray was up with him, perfectly placed to play the ball to Richarlison who stroked it past Mendy into the corner of the net for a goal that sent Goodison absolutely wild.

With Chelsea a little shell-shocked, Everton pressure created another brilliant chance, this one for Mykolenko via Doucouré, an open goal that the young Ukranian totally messed up, firing wide. Chelsea then pressed and forced a corner that was cleared. But Chelsea kept pressing forward, Iwobi having to concede another corner that Rudiger headed wide.

Chelsea were really stepping up to respond. But the Everton defence was chasing down everything in an effort to thwart them. They did that well enough themselves with an overhit cross that sailed over Pickford's goal.

Richarlison was fouled again, wide right. Gordon over-hit the free-kick horribly, just when more pressure on the Chelsea goal was needed. Mykolenko escaped a card for fouling Loftus-Cheek. Alonso set up Mount for an astounding shot that hit both posts and came out to Azpilicueta who lashed it goalwards, only to see Pickford scramble remarkably across his goalline to save it brilliantly. From the corner, Rudiger had the goal at his mercy but Pickford was across brilliantly again to stop a certain goal with his face, Mykolenlko getting hurt in the chaos.

Another Chelsea corner and Everton produced a string of fabulous last-ditch blocks to stop Chelsea shots reaching Pickford's goal. Eveton broke and Richarlison got to the 6-yard area, crossing for Gray who was falling as he had been fouled, but no penalty, of course.

At the other end, Rudiger lashed a distant shot just over the bar. Chelsea kept probing forward, Werner heading wide. Still no Everton subs, of course, while Chelsea made two more. Wake up, Frank!!!

Chelasea piled on more pressure, Iwobi giving up a free-kick wide left that was cleared as Allan replaced Delph, Everton's first sub, on 71 minutes.

Richarlison tried to finish avhigh bouncing ball and hit a defender with his foot that then needed extended treatment, with time ticking away. Havertz and Mina had another tussle, free-kick awarded to Mina.

Some tremendous battling defensive work from Everton was needed to keep Chelsea out but Iwobi fouled Alonso, who delivered a superb ball put behind the Everton defence but thankfully not converted. The corner taken by Mount and cleared.

A great ball in from Alonso was punched away by Pickford. Then Loftus-Cheek created loads of space and lashed a shot that Pickford had to stretch high to parry away from goal. Rondon then came on for Richarlison.

Into the last 10 minutes and the pressure from Chelsea was unrelenting. Mina and Havertz were at it again, Havertz shoving Mina over after he threatened the Chelsea man with a head-butt feint.

Godron, who had been quiet since half-time, tried to break down the left and was dumped into touch: no foul. But Everton did work a great chance, Gray curling a shot that should have been goal-bound just over the bar.

Gordon got forward again, worked his way in well down the channel, but Rondon tried to backheel his low cross to Iwobi that was missed. Chelsea went up the other end, won a corner and forced more excellent defending from Everton with the end well in sight.

Gordon took the ball a long way to the Chelsea box but chose to shoot poorly at Mendy rather than cross. Chelsea came back at them again but the packed Everton box stood firm, as an incredible 7 minutes was added on the board. Time for Dele Alli to come on.

Another incredible penetrating attack by Chelsea, another brilliant save from Pickford low to his right off a shot from Kovacic. And the ball came back in for him to grasp out of the air, to tremendous applause from the Goodison crowd. Dele replaced Gray.

Chelsea kept doing what they usually do so well, recycling again and again, piling more and more pressure on Everton. A Chelsea free-kick was driven in but the offside flag went up, much to the pleasure of the Everton fans as Holgate saw yellow for time-wasting.

Kick-off: 2 pm, Sunday 1 May 2022 on Sky Sports

Everton: Pickford, Coleman [Y:38'], Holgate, Mina, Mykolenko, Delph [Y:45+2'] (71' Allan), Doucouré, Iwobi, Gray (90+4' Dele Alli), Gordon, Richarlison (80' Rondon).
Subs: Begovic, Kenny, Keane, Calvert-Lewin, Davies, Branthwaite .

Chelsea: Mendy, James, Rudiger [Y:18'], Silva, Alonso [Y:75'], Azpilicueta [Y:38'] (68' Pulisic), Jorginho (46' Kovacic), Loftus-Cheek, Mount [Y:37'], Havertz [Y:84'], Werner (69' Ziyech).
Subs: Arrizabalaga, Sarr, Chalobah, Ñíguez, Kenedy, Lukaku

Referee: Kevin Friend
VAR: John Brooks

Michael Kenrick

Goodison Park. You just can’t beat it.

With Dan and particularly his son Alfie wanting to experience the planned players welcome on Goodison Road, we were on our way pretty early, Dan parking up at about 11:30 am.

We arrived up by the Holy Trinity statue a little after that and it was incredibly busy, lively and atmospheric even then. Smoke from blue flares filled the air as Evertonians sung for our team. And this was long before the first team coach was due to arrive. Goodness knows what the atmosphere was like later on. Gaz, Ste and I didn’t stick around to find out, but great work those that did, it really made a difference and gave the team a heck of a boost. Instead, we tried to go for a pint at The Spellow, which was not yet open, and so went to the Harlech Castle instead, which kept us refreshed for a couple of hours or so up until kick-off. Time was going slow.

The team news arrived. Yerry Mina replaced Michael Keane, and Fabian Delph returned in place of Allan. Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Tom Davies both made welcome returns to the substitutes bench. The atmosphere was electric from the start and right throughout the game. Gary had also stayed on Goodison Road to see the coach come in with the players and was able to back up what a special occasion we had missed. “I almost welled up” he said. “We’ve the best supporters in the world”.

At kick-off, Everton began right at full throttle and within the first 10 seconds or so had forced a well-positioned free-kick, which Anthony Gordon subsequently hit high into the Park End. Regardless, it was the start the supporters demanded, getting on the front foot and making life difficult for Chelsea.

Though played at a frenetic tempo, there wasn’t much more by way of opportunities in the first half. Anthony Gordon had wriggled into space and drove an effort wide of the post, though neither goalkeeper was seriously tested in the first half otherwise. There were a few instances where Chelsea threatened, but our defenders and midfield were resolute and workmanlike and repelled Chelsea’s attempts.

We grabbed a quick beer at the break and were back upstairs in time for the second half, which was just as well because, within a minute of the restart, Everton were ahead. Brilliant aggressive pressing from Richarlison forced the error from Cesar Azpilicueta. The ball fell to Demarai Gray who put it back first time into the path of Richarlison who took it early and buried past Edouard Mendy.

In my many years attending Goodison Park, few goals have been greeted with the roar that followed. It was an incredible moment and, amongst it all while celebrating, I somehow didn’t even notice Richarlison picking up the flare and launching it off the pitch and away from the crowd.

Chelsea were completely rattled at this point and were all at sea. Unfortunately Everton’s efforts to capitalise were not rewarded when Vitalii Mykolenko thrashed the wrong side of the post with a great opportunity. “That was the game” I, prematurely, said to Ste. As, yes a two-goal advantage would have been very welcome, Chelsea are too good a team to not retaliate.

Retaliate they soon did once they got their house in order again. Firstly, we got a bit of luck when Mason Mount hit a good effort at goal which was out of Jordan Pickford’s reach. Thankfully the ball came back off the inside of the post and squirmed across the goal line before hitting the other post and arriving invitingly for Cesar Azpilicueta, who looked for all the world that he was going to level the scores for Chelsea. The crowd drew collective breath as he fired it back at goal, but nobody could have expected Jordan Pickford to get up, get back, fling himself to his left behind the goal line and push the ball out. It was an incredible save, as good as it gets.

And then from the resultant corner, with Everton switched off somewhat, Antonio Rudiger fired at goal from close range, but Jordan was across to save brilliantly again, this time with his face. It was a little bit reminiscent of Neville Southall, and I think I enjoyed that one more than the previous. He stayed down for some treatment for a minute or so before getting up as Everton had to deal with another corner kick which they were this time able to clear.

It was a ferocious battle in the second half and Everton scrapped for everything and got over the line. We could have breathed easier had Gray not have blazed over the crossbar late in the game though he was well pressured by Antonio Rudiger. At the other end, Jordan had to make two further saves, one from distance from Ruben Loftus-Cheek; the other much closer from substitute Mateo Kovacic. You felt that Jordan simply wasn’t to be denied in this one.

And nor were Everton. As Chelsea’s pressure grew, the time ticked by even slower and slower, and the 7 minutes of stoppage time were just unbearable. You couldn’t hear anything but whistles from the crowd, and eventually Kevin Friend obliged and joined in the whistles to end the game.

Savouring that win in the Gwladys Street was something else. The players lapped it up as we all sung and clapped and cheered, and then, just when you thought you’d missed him, Frank Lampard appeared shaking his fists shouting “Come on” towards us. It’s an amazing feeling and I don’t think you can ever get too old for it.

You just can’t beat Goodison Park when it's anything like that. We’re going to miss this special place.

Player ratings:

Jordan Pickford: My Man of the Match simply because goalkeeping performances don’t really get any better than that. Those key saves were simply sensational and we may not have won without them. 10

Vitalii Mykolenko: He’s a really good left-back, he just wasn’t yet ready to play when he first arrived, probably for a few reasons. Now that he has had a settled run in the team, he is really looking the part and not a lot gets past him. It's a shame he didn’t score that good opportunity but I guess you can’t have it all. 7

Mason Holgate: Had a very good and solid game at the back. Nice to see he and Michael Keane celebrating together at the end, especially given Michael had been dropped for this game. 7

Yerry Mina: He certainly makes an important difference to us defensively, and it will be an enormous help if he can remain fit for most of the rest of the season. 7

Seamus Coleman: Seamus was up for this and fought tooth-and-nail for the team. 7

Fabian Delph: Scrapped away in there and was a vital part of the midfield before he was substituted for the fresher and unbooked Allan on 71 minutes. 7

Abdoulaye Doucouré: It's great to see Abdoulaye back to his old self as he’s dipped in form over the last month or so. His performances in the last two games have been much more like it. Let’s hope he can keep this up. He was everywhere and never stopped running. 8

Anthony Gordon: Worked relentlessly as he always does and on another day might have got a goal or two. 7

Alex Iwobi: 100% effort from Alex, you can’t fault his work-rate currently. He’s really giving everything for the team, no matter which position he is asked to play. 7

Demarai Gray: Also gave everything and it was nice to see him rack up an assist for our goal. A great effort throughout. 7

Richarlison: He worked tirelessly throughout in what was a courageous effort. His work rate probably rubs off on the rest of the team too, and certainly helps get the supporters on side. He took his goal well and ran himself into the ground for the cause. Outstanding. 9

Allan (for Fabian Delph): He adapted into the game very well and did a good job. 7

Salomon Rondon (for Richarlison): Also got straight into the game and impressed in his 17 minutes. 7

Dele Alli (for Demarai Gray): Not on long but did okay in the short time he had. 6

Paul Traill

Match Preview

Everton are back at Goodison Park and in need of another stirring atmosphere as Chelsea come to town for a fixture that has taken on added significance for the Toffees following Saturday's results.

Victory for Burnley at Watford means that the Toffees will kick off against Thomas Tuchel's side five points adrift of safety but with two games in hand over the Clarets and Leeds United who were thumped at home by title-chasing Manchester City.

The calculations for Everton may have changed and, psychologically, the increase in the points gap to those two clubs above them in the table is a concern but matters remain in the Blues' hands. It's unlikely, but if they can win all their remaining matches, including this one against the team currently sitting in third in the Premier League, they will be assured of safety.

More realistically, they will probably need to pick up another 12 points to avoid relegation, although Leeds's run-in is particularly challenging and it is they, not Burnley, whom Everton might now be hoping to catch in the coming weeks on that basis.

Yerry Mina will be back in Everton's squad this weekend after being rested for the Merseyside derby and he will be joined by Dominic Calvert-Lewin who has been training again this week.

Mina returned from an 8-week lay-off for the home draw against Leicester last weekend and his minutes are being managed due to a succession of soft-tissue complaints that have disrupted his season.

He is expected to start but Calvert-Lewin might only make the bench after doing lighter work at Finch Farm.

The striker has had a stop-start return from a long-term injury absence and didn't make the squad to face Liverpool last Sunday.

Frank Lampard will have to do without Donny van de Beek and André Gomes for another week as both are battling groin strains and Ben Godfrey is ruled out for “a few weeks” with the thigh issue he sustained in the warm-up at Anfield.

Since winning all their Premier League fixtures in March, Chelsea were stunned at home a month ago by Brentford who beat the 4-1 before they exited the Champions League as holders at the hands of Real Madrid.

In between, they thrashed Southampton 6-0 at St Mary's but lost at home to Arsenal, edged West Ham 1-0 and were held 1-1 by Manchester United at Old Trafford on Thursday evening.

The recency of that outing, their somewhat erratic form, and the fact that they have little left to play for will hopefully see a less motivated Chelsea arrive in L4 for what is a fixture that the Toffees have found ways to win when the chips have been down at times in recent years, not least in 2019 for Duncan Ferguson's first game at the helm as caretaker.

As was the case for most of Lampard's games in charge, the Goodison faithful are gearing up to play their part in providing the kind of bear-pit environment designed to will Everton on to victory. Should they help the players over the line to three points, it could be a massive boost ahead of the trip to Leicester next weekend.

Kick-off 2 pm, Sunday 1 May 2022 on Sky SPorts
Referee: Kevin Friend
VAR: John Brooks
Last Time: Everton 1 - 0 Chelsea

Predicted Line-up: Pickford, Coleman, Mina, Keane, Mykolenko, Delph, Allan, Iwobi, Gordon, Gray, Richarlison

Lyndon Lloyd

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