Chelsea 0 Everton 0: Toffees hang on for derserved draw at Stamford Bridge

Everton held on for a 0-0 draw at Stamford Bridge this afternoon to take a well deserved point back to Merseyside.

Going into the match the majority of Everton fans would definitely have taken a point at a ground where the Blues have a very poor recent record.

However there might actually be a sense that the Toffees could have snatched all three points today.

Everton spurned several great chances with Theo Walcott and Bernard particularly both having the opportunity to secure victory.

This game represented a tactical master-class from Marco Silva who showed just how to stifle and frustrate a Chelsea side that had been scoring freely until today’s match.

The Blues played with discipline and composure throughout the game. And although Marco Alonso hit a great effort, which was saved by Jordan Pickford and Chelsea hit the post during a ten minute spell midway in the second half, Everton generally dealt well with the danger.

The Everton midfield of Idrissa Gueye, Andre Gomes and Gylfi Sigurdsson were excellent, snapping into tackles and denying Chelsea’s three from ever settling and dictating the play.

And especially in the first half they effectively cut off the supply of quality ball to Eden Hazard up front.

Chelsea soon got frustrated as Everton failed to simply roll over and let them play and the tackles started flying in.

However the first yellow card of the day went to an Everton player, debutant Yerry Mina. He tackled Hazard strongly but not maliciously just outside the box and got a yellow card for his efforts.

Mina was actually very solid at the back alongside Michael Keane. He had a fine debut game and looked quick, strong and comfortable on the ball.

As well as making some dubious tackles, certain players were looking for fouls with Alvaro Morata in particular guilty of some silly dives and play acting. He went down at nearly every opportunity looking for a penalty or a free kick.

This kind of thing is frustrating to see, although on one occasion Mina looked like he had been a little lucky not to concede a penalty for some overly physical play.

In the second half Chelsea had upped their intensity and they began to exert more pressure but Everton still looked a real threat when they got hold of the ball and broke away.

Importantly the Blues didn’t lose their composure and kept trying to play themselves, with Gomes in particular orchestrating their efforts.

The home team had several good chances during that second half spell of pressure with Pickford outstanding and hit the post but in the end couldn’t ultimately break down a determined Toffees team.

This draw represents a possible breakthrough in Everton’s fortunes against the so-called ‘top six’ sides.

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Too often the Toffees have travelled to matches and played these teams not believing they could compete and get something from the game.

And in fact two weeks ago at Old Trafford it looked like nothing had changed as Everton went down to another frustrating defeat away from home.

Once more they seemed to lack the self-belief needed, but on today’s evidence perhaps the team is beginning to believe they can beat one of these top sides.

The next away game in the Premier League is at Liverpool in the first derby of the season. Let’s hope Everton can go one better than today in that game and end their Anfield hoodoo.

Chelsea 0 Everton 0: Toffees take deserved point

By Matt Townsend | Nov 11, 2018

Everton held on for a 0-0 draw at Stamford Bridge this afternoon to take a well deserved point back to Merseyside.

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