Enzo Maresca's side edged out the Toffees at Stamford Bridge as they kept themselves right in the mix for Champions League qualification
Chelsea managed to cling on and secure a vital 1-0 win over Everton on Saturday, with Robert Sanchez forced into a couple of big saves after Nicolas Jackson had given the hosts a first-half lead.
The Blues were by far the better team in the first period, as they managed to progress the ball quickly through Everton's midfield without losing the control Enzo Maresca clearly demands from his side. Their reward came in the 27th minute, when Trevoh Chalobah stepped in to dispossess a studious Beto. From there, Enzo Fernandez quickly got the ball into Nicolas Jackson's feet, who turned and fired home from 25 yards out.
Rather than press home their advantage, Chelsea allowed the visitors to grow into the game. Sanchez was called into action as the Toffees pushed forward searching for an equaliser, first making a diving stop from Beto's snapshot on the hour before denying a Dwight McNeil volley with an acrobatic save towards the end to preserve his clean sheet.
GOAL rates Chelsea's players from Stamford Bridge…
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Robert Sanchez (8/10):
Smart stop to deny a Beto snapshot on the hour. Made two more crucial saves to spare Chelsea's blushes.
Moises Caicedo (8/10):
An all-action display from the moonlighting midfielder. Hard in the tackle as always, and seamlessly slotted back into midfield in the second half.
Trevoh Chalobah (7/10):
Picked Beto's pocket in the build-up to the opener. Never looked rushed. Could be making this position his own, finally.
Levi Colwill (7/10):
The senior partner in a burgeoning partnership. Dependable.
Marc Cucrella (7/10):
The final piece in a solid back-four performance by the Blues. Timed his tackles well, and stung Pickford's gloves with a long-range effort.
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Romeo Lavia (5/10):
Worked hard as always. Still finding his way after a stop-start season.
Enzo Fernandez (5/10):
Progressed the ball into Jackson's feet to facilitate the first goal. Calm and measured in the first half, lost control in the second.
Cole Palmer (4/10):
Peripheral again. When he did get on the ball, was liable to force himself down blind allies.
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Pedro Neto (6/10):
Used his pace to worry Vitaliy Mykolenko. Delivery from dead balls was hit-and-miss.
Nicolas Jackson (7/10):
Finally got his goal. Lost his way in the second half, getting caught in possession and inviting pressure.
Noni Madueke (7/10):
Made a bright start and looked threatening throughout. Forced multiple top-quality saves out of Pickford.
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Reece James (5/10):
Calm presence off the bench. Didn't get to show his attacking prowess as Everton grew into the game.
Jadon Sancho (N/A):
Very little time to influence the game. Came on for the busy Madueke and didn't replicate his energy.
Tyrique George (N/A):
On for the final minutes.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (N/A):
Introduced late on.
Enzo Maresca (5/10):
Watching from the stands owing to a suspension, his team fell into a trap in the second half, slowing down the game rather than pushing for a second.