Saturday, 22 February 2014

CHELSEA FC 0vs0 EVERTON


HALF-TIME: Chelsea 0-0 Everton (the free kick is cleared and the referee blows his whistle!)
45′ +1
Will Everton regret that miss? Chelsea almost make them pay immediately, although Willian's shot is a tame one, dealt with by Howard with comfortable ease. The visitors then retain possession and win a free kick for the final moments of the half.
45′
MISHIT! Oh that was a chance for the visitors! The ball fell to Mirallas in a great position but he completely miscued his shot, as it ended up hitting his own player. How they could have done with a goal before half-time there!
44′
BLOCK! A chance for Everton is dealt with by great defending from Terry. James McCarthy and Naismith collaborated well to play the ball deep into the Chelsea half - but Cahill and Terry were equal to the move, eventually dealing with it and clearing the danger.
43′
It has been a frustrating half for the home side! But with the options they have available on the bench, you sense they have the firepower to change things around for the second half.
42′
Chelsea win a free kick now and, despite Jagielka heading it away initially, Matic plays in Eto'o! However, the Everton defenders deal with the pressure and Matic is then penalised for a foul.
40′
It's played into the box and reaches the head of Terry! But the Chelsea skipper can only head several yards wide, despite being unmarked by the Everton defenders. Big chance missed?
39′
Chelsea have not been allowed to express themselves by the visitors so far, though they now have a corner, with Terry and Cahill both going forward for it - and Willian taking it...
38′
The Chelsea fans jeer as Everton are accused of wasting time. However, their slow approach wins them a corner.  Mirallas takes it, whipping it into the penalty area, but Cahill clears it for a throw-in.
36′
SAVE! Eto'o storms through on goal but his effort is saved by Howard! The Everton goalkeeper has made two important stops so far and has been impressive all season. In fact, ever since he signed at Goodison Park!
34′
OFFSIDE! A great ball is played into Mirallas but the Belgian is given offside for Everton. That would have been a pass for the highlight reels had it counted.
33′
We're still lacking in terms of clearcut chances, which has been a problem for Mourinho's side all season. Their newfound defensive strength seems to have kept the visitors at bay, too, however.
32′
As things stand, both sides will be dropping points here, which will benefit absolutely all of their rivals. The likes of Liverpool, Tottenham, Arsenal and Manchester City will be quietly confident here...
30′
Half an hour gone here and it's been a fantastic tussle so far between both sides. Willian has seen a lot of the ball for Chelsea, though the likes of Baines and Pienaar have offered an equal amount of creativity for the visitors.
28′
SAVE! Jagielka makes an overhead clearance initially - which was incredible in its technique - but Azpilicueta continued the move with a strike from distance, prompting a save from Howard!
27′
CLEARANCE! Chelsea press now, with Eto'o putting pressure on Sylvain Distin, who just about manages to make a clearance. But back the Blues come, with Willian and Hazard advancing...
25′
Both goalkeepers have had quiet games so far, with it very much being a battle of midfield at the moment. Right now, though, it is Everton who are looking the most likely to create chances. Chelsea are always there on the counterattack, however.
23′
Barry is really dictating things in midfield, although Matic is trying his best to counter the former Manchester City man.
21′
Everton have had several half-chances in the last few minutes, with Gareth Barry and Leon Osman excelling in central midfield. Steven Naismith, who replaced the injured Traore before kick-off, has had a quiet game so far, however, just like opposite number Samuel Eto'o.
19′
Steven Pienaar and Baines now link up on the left-hand side, as the visitors gain in confidence. We are seeing a lot of the same moves that the Toffees produced against Swansea in the FA Cup.
17′
Everton have slowly settled into this encounter now, with Chelsea's early dominance coming to nothing. Their lack of final product has hurt them so far, with Ivanovic now almost allowing Mirallas a way through to goal by giving the ball away!
15′
BLOCK! Kevin Mirallas has a great chance for Everton, taking a shot at goal but having it blocked by a sliding Gary Cahill, who clears it with his chest! Pressure from the visitors now, who need Branislav Ivanovic to clear the corner.
13′
The hosts try to find Oscar with a long ball but, once again, the move breaks down at the final hurdle. A foul now ends the move.
11′
It's been a lively opening here at Stamford Bridge, with both sides showing flashes of attacking intent. Chelsea, especially, have started brightly - but a lack of end product means both sides are just as likely to open the scoring.
9′
Yellow Card Oscar
9′
Everton's free kick is duly wasted, as Seamus Coleman hits it long but Naismith can only head it straight to Petr Cech. Chelsea look to break quickly again through Azpilicueta, though the Spaniard loses the ball as it goes off for a throw-in.
8′
After the Blues win another corner, several crosses are pumped into the box but cleared with ease each time. However, Oscar now looks in pain after giving a free kick away, though he then receives a yellow card for his challenge!
7′
Willian has had a busy few minutes. The Brazilian now tries to jink his way past all the Everton defenders. He almost succeeds but just takes on one man too many. At the other end, the away side get forward for only the second time so far, though a dangerous cross into the box needs clearing.
5′
The home side push forward again as they attempt to assert their early dominance. But, this time, it's Nemanja Matic who ruins the move. The midfielder delivered a cross into the penalty area but it floated well wide of its target and off for a throw!
4′
Now Chelsea break again, after Leighton Baines had earned Everton a free kick. The Blues counterattacked in typically quick fashion, with Willian leading the charge. The Brazilian ended up through on goal but miscued his shot somewhat, as it rolled wide of Howard's right post.
2′
Eden Hazard wins the Blues a corner straight away! Cesar Azpilicueta won the ball down the left and passed it to the Belgian, who displayed all his skill to force the set-piece. Frank Lampard whipped it in and it was blocked, then delivered the second corner - but it went straight to Tim Howard.
1′
We're underway, as hosts Chelsea get us started!
 
The teams are heading onto the pitch. Chelsea led by returning captain John Terry, Everton by Phil Jagielka. One is England's current centre-back, the other a former England skipper.
 
Kick-off is less than 10 minutes away, so stay with us for all the action!
 
Chelsea currently sit top of the Premier League, one point clear of Arsenal and three clear of Manchester City, though City have a game in hand and a superior goal difference. The visitors, meanwhile, are eight points off the Champions League places but could close to within two points of fifth-placed Tottenham with a win today.
 
Psychologically, however, the Toffees can take heart from knowing that they beat the Blues at Goodison Park earlier in the season. Steven Naismith scored the only goal in that one - and the Scot is on the bench today. Can Everton become the first ever side to beat Mourinho at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League?
 
Statistically, Everton have not won at Stamford Bridge for 18 years, with Mourinho himself unbeaten at the Bridge in the Premier League for 73 games, while Chelsea are currently unbeaten in 11 league matches.
 
Martinez, then, has kept faith with Lacina Traore after his debut goal in the FA Cup against Swansea City, though Ross Barkley can only make the bench. For hosts Chelsea, their starting XI has actually become rather predictable - a far cry from earlier this season.
 
Everton substitutes: Robles, Hibbert, McGeady, Deulofeu, Naismith, Barkley, Stones.
 
Everton starting line-up: Howard; Coleman, Distin, Jagielka, Baines; Barry, McCarthy, Pienaar, Osman, Mirallas; Naismith.
 
Chelsea substitutes: Schwarzer, Cole, Ramires, Salah, Schurrle, Torres, Ba.
 
Chelsea starting line-up: Cech; Ivanovic, Terry, Cahill, Azpilicueta; Matic, Lampard; Willian, Oscar, Hazard; Eto'o.
 
Let's start with today's team news. See if you can spot any surprises...
 
Good afternoon and welcome to live-text commentary of Chelsea against Everton, where Jose Mourinho's men host Roberto Martinez's charges at Stamford Bridge. I'm your host Tim Poole and I'll be guiding you through all the action. Valuable Premier League points are at stake...

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