LAMPS PAYS THE PENALTY
Sigurdsson spot-kick denies Chelsea the chance to move top as...
CHELSEA failed to return to the top of the Premier League as Gylfi Sigurdsson’s penalty ended their 17-match unbeaten run.
Sigurdsson converted his first league goal of the season midway through the first half after Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy had a rush of blood and smashed into Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Though Chelsea dominated possession, their route to an equaliser was thwarted by England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, who enjoyed a welcome return to form with two brilliant saves to deny Reece James, while Mason Mount hit the post with a late free-kick.
It was a sobering evening for Blues boss Frank Lampard who missed the creative influence of Hakim Ziyech and Christian Pulisic, as £73 million signing Kai Havertz struggled again in his 10th match without a goal.
Though there were only two thousand supporters allowed into Goodison Park last night, they made up for it with plenty of noise as they celebrated their first live action since March 1. They jeered referee Jonathan Moss, still aggrieved at giving a soft penalty to Manchester United many moons ago and applauded both teams as they took the knee.
The real crowd noise ensured an intense opening with throaty roars greeting Alex Iwobi’s first block as he pressed up front.
Everton also had the first shot in anger although Rich ar li son’ s attempt lacked real venom and Mendy was able to comfortably fall on the ball to save.
From the game’s first corner, captain for the day Sigurdsson found YerryM in awi than outswinger that the Colombian header over.
Chelsea’ s long unbeaten run contrasted with Everton’s recent inconsistency that had seemed them fall back into the pack having lead the Premier League at one stage.
As the tempo slowed after a frenetic opening, Chelsea found their rhythm and for the most part kept the ball. Carlo Ancelotti will have been pleased nevertheless that his side kept their shape and protected Pickford well.
And after 20 minutes of the visitors bossing 80 percent possession without anything to show for it, Everton took the lead. There had been little subtlety in their play with Pickford arrowing clearances straight to CalvertLewin on more than one occasion.
The Everton forward has turned into a striker of real note and he turned a regulation punt into a clever pass by chasing the ball down and nicking it past Thiago Silva as it bounced up in the penalty area.
Mendy, who had been winded a couple of minutes before after he fell claiming a high catch, could not stop himself as he ran from goal and careered into Calvert-Lewin, giving referee Moss little trouble in pointing to the spot.
Sigurdsson converted by rolling the ball low to Mendy’s left as the goalkeeper dived the other way. It was the Icelander’s first Premier League goal of the season.
The setback stirred Chelsea into action. Reece James was denied by Pickford with a curling free-kick and then again by an even better save from the goalkeeper.
James made a good connection from 20 yards after a corner had been half- cleared and was left disbelieving as Pickford turned it on to the post with his fingertips. Timo Werner also missed from eight yards but Everton were happy to be patient and try to hurt Chelsea on the counter.
Their golden opportunity to add a second arrived after 38 minutes when Richarlison burst through on goal but Mendy redeemed himself by narrowing the angle and making a block. Pickford was temporarily injured after being run into by team-mate Mina but the Colombian reacted well t o block Olivier Giroud’s shot with the loose ball. Chelsea came out the traps fast in the second half, an indication that Lampard may have had some stern words during the interval.
Pickford came from his goal and punched to N’Golo Kante just outside the penalty area. The Frenchman squared to Mount who tried to loft the ball into an empty net before Pickford could get back but his aim was marginally high.
Giroud then let out a howl of despair when his dink to the far post was diverted for a corner by Mason Holgate. Everton’s counters still proved dangerous. An excellent block by Mina at one end led to a
charge up the field culminating in Richarlison’s shot tipped away by Mendy. Everton were now attacking the goal populated by their supporters leading to plenty of Oohs and Aahs whenever they crossed the halfway line.
Chelsea were clearly missing the creative i nfluences of Ziyech and Pulisic, with Havertz struggling to justify his hefty price tag and a frustrated James went into the book for a hefty challenge on Allan.
Everton were awarded another penalty after 63 minutes when
Calvert-Lewin latched on to a pass by Alex Iwobi and was bundled over by Ben Chilwell as he cut inside.
But despite VAR discovering that the striker had been offside as he broke forward, Everton held on for a welcome victory.