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Everton ended Chelsea’s successful run with a dramatic late equaliser from substitute Ellis Simms at Stamford Bridge to bolster their hopes of Premier League survival.
The 22-year-old outmuscled Kalidou Koulibaly to steal in and make it 2-2 within the 89th minute, after Kai Havertz’s penalty regarded to have made it 4 victories in a row for Graham Potter’s aspect.
Joao Felix gave Chelsea the lead early within the second half of a match that they had dominated as much as that time, earlier than being pegged again by Abdoulaye Doucoure’s headed objective.
The hosts had been once more left to rue missed alternatives, with their fluid attacking play blunted by a scarcity of killer intuition contained in the field.
The primary roar of anticipation from a loud house help got here early. Michael Keane’s headed clearance from a Ben Chilwell nook dropped to the sting of the field, from the place it was crashed narrowly vast of objective through a leaping volley from Mateo Kovacic.
Christian Pulisic, again within the group for the primary time in two months, obtained in down the left and pulled the ball again for Chilwell to prod it in direction of the stretching Felix, whose contact was simply too slight to show it previous Jordan Pickford.
Chelsea 2-2 Everton - in photos
The breadth of Chelsea’s play challenged Everton’s defensive organisation, attacking fluidly down both flank with Reece James and Chilwell at their incisive, energetic finest. Enzo Fernandez hit quick and lengthy balls with lethal precision, and Felix stretched the guests along with his mesmerising shut management.
But for all Chelsea’s endeavour, a first-half objective wouldn't arrive. Felix – via whom each promising assault appeared to movement – tried with a drilled effort from 18 yards that flew straight into Pickford’s gloves. A intelligent free-kick transfer ended with a low shot from Fernandez which was blocked.
The hosts had began the sport within the backside half of the desk however a successful run and eventually a way that Potter is aware of his favoured beginning XI and form had lifted the temper of Stamford Bridge. Even with Raheem Sterling out injured, they attacked like a group comfy in each other’s firm, stuffed with spirit and perception.
The second half opened with extra Chelsea strain. Chilwell, wonderful once more all through, crossed from the left and Havertz rose to energy a header low at objective which was overwhelmed out by Pickford. On the rebound, Keane narrowly beat Felix to the ball and cleared.
The objective was the structure of Chelsea’s two finest gamers. Fernandez hit one other elegant go which fell completely on to the left foot of Chilwell, who cushioned his cross into the center. Keane was first to the ball for Everton however the defender was too off-balance to make good contact. His half-clearance reached Felix, who took a contact, took goal and with deft precision rolled the ball house off Pickford’s far submit.
Keane virtually made amends without delay for his defensive lapse, releasing himself from his marker because the ball was whipped in by Demarai Grey however failing to make the contact the cross deserved.
The guests had been inspired, and 20 minutes from time they had been degree. A nook from the best was met by James Tarkowski muscling above Chelsea’s defence to get his head to the ball, and because it dropped into the six-yard field Doucoure acted quickest to nod it over the road, as Havertz tried in useless to hook clear.
Chelsea responded like a group buoyed by new confidence. James gained a penalty when he was barrelled to the bottom by Tarkowski. That handed Havertz the prospect to revive the lead, which he duly took, sending Pickford the mistaken method.
However Everton wouldn't be overwhelmed. A minute from the tip, Doucoure performed the ball to Simms, who darted past a weak problem from Koulibaly and side-footed previous Kepa Arrizabalaga to safe what could possibly be a priceless level in Everton’s battle for survival.
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