Match Report: Chelsea FC 1-0 Everton; late 90+3 winner ensured victory!

Chelsea beat Everton 1-0 at Stamford Bridge courtesy of a goal from Frank Lampard’s free-kick which was helped by Terry’s sliding effort and Tim Howard’s howler at the death. The Blues of London are still top of the league with 4 points clear of Arsenal who are second and has a game in hand later on after this game. Let’s take a look at how the match unfolded…

Starting Line-ups: 

Chelsea FC (4-2-3-1): Cech; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta; Lampard, Matic; Hazard, Willian (Torres 62′), Oscar (Ramires 45′), Eto’o (Schurrle 69′)

Everton FC (4-2-3-1): Howard; Coleman, Jagielka, Distin, Baines; McCarthy, Barry; Mirallas (Deulofeu 75′), Osman (Barkley 63′), Piennar (McGeady 80′), Naismith

Summary: 

The Visitors were very strong in attack and play a fluid passing football since a managerial change last summer when David Moyes departed and the stylish football admirer Roberto Martinez arrived at the club. Chelsea also tried to counter attack all Everton’s attack through the pace of our attacking players and that saw the first shot on target for Chelsea by Willian.

Moments later, the game was more intensified as both teams attacked and missed chances before Oscar was booked early on for a foul on Naismith.

As the game progressed, both teams were playing open football with attacking and scoring in mind rather than defend and counter.  However we were looking more of a threat than at any time in the game so far, with the half inside its final 10 minutes.

As the game approached the 40th minute,  Terry planted a header wide from a corner, won and taken by Willian before Everton went back on the attack on the stroke of half-time.

Soon after the first half ended with both sides exchanging much shots on target and with the Blues going closer of many chances in the first half.

In the 2nd 45 minutes, Jose Mourinho decided to bring on the Energetic Ramires for Oscar who was booked in the first half. The game restarted as the Blues try to see out the resiliency of the visitors and notch up a win.

Chelsea had three corners in succession and went close with those chances especially from Ivanovic’s attempt from Terry’s header. On 57 minutes, Cech did well to keep out a deflected Osman shot that was creeping inside the post, before a couple of minutes later it was a double save from his counterpart that kept Chelsea at bay.

Then, after lots of missed opportunities, Jose Mourinho decided to act in the 63rd minute by bringing on a second striker, Fernando Torres for Willian upfront. And after Eto’o position change to the right, Schurrle came on for the Cameroonian later on.

Everton were far less of a threat to the Chelsea goal in this second period, with Matic an increasing influence in midfield. Hazard created many chances but, Torres failed to take advantage of those and put one into the back of the net.

The game is now around in the 80th minute and Everton were trying to hold on to this crucial point against the league leaders while Chelsea pushed for a winner. Ivanovic, with the next move forward, found Schurrle with a high ball to the far-post area but with German perhaps not realizing he had time for a second touch, he volleyed high and wide.

Moments later in the additional time after the 90th minute, Ramires was fouled by Jegielka..

The chance was there for Lampard to initiate a set-piece savior. The ball was whipped in for a Chelsea header but when it cleared the crowd, Terry was still alive and slid in to make the vital touch just centimeters ahead of Howard. From a yard out the ball was turned into the net and the league leaders had three more points.

The Blues moved four points clear of their next close challengers as a result. Hope you enjoyed the game and thanks for reading! KTBFFH