Late Willian Goal Sinks Valiant Toffees

Aug 6, 2013; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Everton midfielder Ross Barkley (20) dribbles the ball against Valencia during the second half at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

On Wednesday evening, Chelsea welcomed Everton to Stamford Bridge as the league leaders looked to make it two wins from two against Roberto Martinez’s men this season. But it was to be a late, late strike from Willian that proved the difference as the hosts ran out 1-0 winners.

Setting up a staunch defensive stance from the get-go, the away side looked to keep Chelsea’s attackers quiet with some clever nullification. And it worked quite well for the opening 45 minutes.

Limiting the home team to shots from distance, it was Willian who came closest to breaking the deadlock early on as he cut in off the left flank before unleashing a venomous effort on goal from 25 yards. Thankfully for the Evertonians in the stands, it zipped harmlessly over the bar.

Later there were shouts for a handball as Steven Nasimith’s arm struck a ball bobbling around their 18-yard box. Claims for a penalty kick were waved away by the referee, but replays showed that the Scotland international’s intervention with his arm looked rather intentional.

Down the other end, Romelu Lukaku almost hit the back of the net to give the “School of Science” the lead against the run of play, but a great reactionary save by Petr Cech ensured the scores remained level.

A lack of incisive moves from Martinez’s charges ensured Kurt Zouma and his fellow defensive comrades dealt rather easily with any threats that came their way. This, combined with a lack of width, meant that The Toffees rarely looked like cutting Jose Mourinho’s men open.

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And the match never looked like scaling the dramatic heights of their 6-3 meeting at Goodison Park.

Following the restart, Tim Howard came under severe pressure from a trio of Chelsea attacks. First, centre-back Branislav Ivanovic tested the American custodian with a header, then Eden Hazard took a shot from the edge of the 18-yard box and Nemanja Matic got a shot away from a free-kick, but again the USMNT international found a way to keep the ball out.

Indeed, with Diego Costa serving his ban and Cesc Fabregas not on the pitch, Chelsea didn’t really cut the figure of corrosive champions capable of scoring at any moment.

But that didn’t stop Everton from creating chances of their own.

And in the 68th minute they came agonisingly close to stealing the lead.

A Bryan Oviedo corner was deflected away from goal but it wound its way back to him. With time to settle on the ball, the wideman spotted Lukaku lurking inside the six-yard area with a drilled pass. Shifting his feet ever so well, the Belgium international directed his shot straight at goal, but a fantastic reactionary save from Cech kept the ball out much to the annoyance of the away fans.

Just over 10 minutes later, Lukaku was once more central to Everton’s attack. Driving at the Chelsea back-four, he created space for Kevin Mirallas to shoot from long-range, but his effort was too high.

But it was Willian who popped up to secure all three points in the 89th minute with a wonderful volley that drove through a body of defenders and past Howard. It was a cruel way for Everton to lose the match.

Nevertheless, the way The Toffees defended throughout underlined just how far they have come since they conceded six in their last meeting with Mourinho’s men.

Do you think Everton deserved more than a point?