29/05 - 20:00
Everton's Premier League survival hopes were given a huge boost as Richarlison scored the only goal of the game to beat Chelsea 1-0 at a very noisy Goodison Park.
Action: The first-half was short on chances, but was not on energy or intensity, particularly from the Everton players, as five yellow cards were shown before half-time.
Just 59 seconds into the second half, Richarlison decided the game for the Toffees. The Brazilian closed down Cesar Azplicueta, controlling a ball from Thiago Silva on the edge of the Chelsea box, the Spanish defender lost the possession of the ball in a dangerous zone, and the Brazilian kept his composure to slot it past Edouard Mendy.
Moments after, Everton could of doubled their lead, when Vitalii Mykolenko was played through by Abdoulaye Doucoure but the full-back failed to hit the target.
Chelsea started to increase their tempo and had a couple of chances to score only to be denied by an inspired Jordan Pickford.
Their best chance came on 59 minutes when Mason Mount hammered a volley that hit both posts and on the rebound the English goalkeeper with a superb reaction save denied an imminent goal from Azpilicueta.
From the resulting corner, Pickford produced another world class save to block Antonio Rudiger from close range.
The England international was called into action once again on 93 minutes to deny a close-range effort from Mateo Kovacic and Everton held on to secure the three crucial points.
Big Picture: What a win for Frank Lampard's men! With this result, Everton remain in the bottom three but are now just a point behind Burnley and Leeds, in 16th and 17th respectively, with a game in hand over their rivals.
Chelsea will remain third, but Arsenal can climb to within three points of them by winning at West Ham later on Sunday.
Everton's next 'final' is a trip to Leicester, before their crucial game in hand away at Watford on May 11. Chelsea host Wolves next Saturday, before travelling to Leeds on May 11.
xG: Everton (1.09) 1-0 (1.39) Chelsea
Stat of the Day: Richarlison has scored in the first minute of the second half for the third time in the Premier League; in the competition's history, the only player to do so more often is Alan Shearer (four times).
🗣 "There's a reason why he's England's number one. Some of the saves were world class."
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 1, 2022
Seamus Coleman was full of praise for Man of the Match Jordan Pickford after a vital win against Chelsea 🧤 pic.twitter.com/ppF8yofh2x
1-0 | ||
Richarlison 46' |
