Everton got here to Stamford Bridge, sat again, and held their hosts to a 2-2 draw. Potter’s gamers seemed dejected when the Toffees levelled within the 89th minute. They usually have been proper to be — their defending allow them to down ultimately and value them two factors.
Mateo Kovacic nearly gave Chelsea the right begin when he volleyed acrobatically from Ben Chilwell’s nook, besides the ball landed simply extensive.
Chilwell was again within the England crew this week after his current harm woes saved him out of the World Cup, and on his fiftieth Premier League outing for the Blues, he produced a equally busy efficiency to his show in opposition to former employers Leicester final weekend.
From one other of his crosses, Havertz hung within the air however headed extensive. It was an enormous likelihood — the second of ten first-half pictures within the first half. Solely three hit the goal, and none gave Jordan Pickford a lot to consider.
Enzo Fernandez and Joao Felix have been glorious all through — receiving the ball to their ft, swivelling out of hazard with admirable ability, and getting Chelsea transferring up the pitch.
It was the Blues who dominated possession all through the match and particularly in a vastly one-sided first half, however on the events once they discovered themselves defending, they received the ball again rapidly and countered with tempo and function.
Fernandez, Felix and Havertz have been an enormous a part of that, at all times wanting ahead and infrequently choosing out the mistaken go.
It took till the second half for Chelsea to interrupt the impasse, nevertheless it was no shock that it got here from the very good Fernandez, whose cross-field go invited Chilwell to cross first time. Michael Keane caught a leg out, nevertheless it landed within the path of Felix, who tucked the ball into the nook by way of the submit with actual precision.
It was his second Chelsea purpose, and a deserved one. He was energetic all afternoon.
Everton plugged away with out actually threatening, however then all of a sudden out of nowhere they have been degree when James Tarkowski nodded a nook on and Abdoulaye Doucoure received above Kalidou Koulibaly, usually poor all match, to steer in.
Havertz cleared, nevertheless it was too late. Aim-line expertise advised referee Darren England it was a purpose.
Kai Havertz’s penalty seemed set to be the winner till Ellis Simms struck late on
/ PASimply 4 factors separate the underside 9, and Sean Dyche’s Everton want each level they’ll get of their relegation dogfight. No marvel they have been gutted, then, when Tarkowski was penalised for felling Reece James.
It was a mushy penalty, nevertheless it was finally the appropriate name by the referee. Havertz delayed, despatched Pickford the mistaken manner, and Chelsea have been again forward.
Dwight McNeil got here shut from the left as Everton continued to be a counter-attacking menace, feeding off scraps when Chelsea did lose the ball.
However the Toffees received their reward late on when 22-year-old academy graduate Ellis Simms tore previous Koulibaly, who was run ragged, after which shot by means of Kepa Arrizabalaga far too simply.
It was a killer for Potter and for Chelsea, who have been usually very optimistic. The character of Everton having the final chortle will imply the hosts really feel their momentum has been halted after three straight wins. Chelsea stay tenth with relegation-threatened Everton now fifteenth. Nothing comes straightforward within the Premier League.
