Is Thomas Tuchels’ side still favorites for the premier league title pursuit despite suffering another stalemate against the Toffees at Stamford bridge? Thomas Tuchel was not impressed with the results as his team dropped two more points against Everton. 

Mason Mount scored an opener for the Blues before Everton equalized four minutes later. The Blues missed on so many opportunities, and they didn’t make anything count from their possession and dominance both in the first and second half.

The Toffees showed a heroic defensive display by snatching a late equalizer from Jarrad Branthwaite. Jarrad Paul Branthwaite, the 19-year-old English center-back, scored on his first Premier League start of the season to earn Everton an unlikely hard-fought point at Stamford Bridge, softening the view of traveling diehard Everton fans.

Despite Rafael Benitez’s side injury and form issues, they turned up well in west London, fully anticipating a tough night and with a raft of changes. Everton fans have positive feelings about the ex-Liverpool boss being in charge. Benitez can thank his rookies for grabbing a vital point against the European champions last night to quell the unrest at Goodison Park. Not to forget the cool hands of experienced keeper Jordan Pickford for making several saves.

Chelsea Vs. Everton Match Highlights

Chelsea started with a solid defensive unit, and Thiago Silva at the back was absolute perfection. Chelsea was better off than their rivals in terms of possession and creating chances. However, in the forward attacking, chances were less considering Romelu Lukaku, Hudson Odoi, Kai Havertz, and Timo Werner being ruled out for some reasons like injuries and illness. 

Reese Jame was magnificent in the Thursday match against Everton, considering his perfect assists that lacked someone who could have capitalized on them well. Despite the Blues having 23 shots on target, only a single strike from midfielder Mason Mount in the 70th minute gave the hosts the lead. Thomas Tuchel kept N’golo Kante on the bench to save his efforts for the EFL Cup against Brentford on December 22.

However, Jarrad Paul Branthwaite silenced the hosts’ dominance with a sublime set-piece from Anthony Gordon, who offered a great assist from a free-kick in the 74th minute. Jordan Pickford made nine saves for the Toffees at Stamford Bridge, keeping Chelsea at bay. Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel said the results shown by his boys were an absolute freak for that kind of match. 

Despite other teams conceding more goals, Chelsea could only have a draw despite how strong the players were. The German, Thomas Tuchel, said the boys would learn from their mistakes after their frustrating stalemate against Everton in the 17th matchday of the Premier League. The rhythm remained inconsistent despite bringing some new energy in the second half to take advantage of the chances. 

However, on the Everton side, it was the most important result considering issues concerning illness and injuries amongst some of its players like Tom Davies, Andros Townsend, Richarlison, Lucas Digne, and Dominic Calvert Lewin.

Chelsea Vs. Everton Match Preview

Manchester City and Liverpool currently have a single-goal margin in the first and second position, leaving Chelsea third with 37. If Chelsea could win the match against Everton, they could be one point behind Jurgen Klopp’s side. 

Chelsea had maintained their home unbeaten record against Everton in 26 matches since November 1994 when they lost 1 – 0 against them. However, the Toffees have won 3 of their last matches against the Blues but all of them while at Goodison Park. 

Here are the players’ ratings in the stalemate match that took place at Stamford Bridge on Thursday night:

Chelsea 3-4-2 Line-Up: Thiago Silva – 8/10, Mason Mount – 8/10, Antonio Rüdiger – 7/10, Jorginho – 7/10, Reece James – 7/10, Hakim Ziyech – 7/10, Christian Pulisic – 7/10, Marcos Alonso – 6/10, Ruben Loftus-Cheek – 6/10, César Azpilicueta – 5/10, and Edouard Mendy – 5/10.

Substitutes: Ross Barkley – 6/10 [for Loftus-Cheek, 65′], Saul Niguez – 4/10 [for Marcos Alonso 65′], Trevoh Chalobah No Rating (for Azpilicueta, 78′).

Yellow Cards: Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Jorginho.

Everton 5-4-1 Line-Up: Jordan Pickford – 8/10, Jarrad Branthwaite – 8/10, Michael Keane – 8/10, Anthony Gordon – 8/10, Ellis Simms – 7/10, Abdoulaye Doucouré – 6/10, Ben Godfrey – 6/10, Jonjoe Kenny – 6/10, Mason Holgate – 5/10, Andre Gomes – 5/10, and Alex Iwobi – 5/10.

Substitutes: Lewis Dobbin – 7/10, Jean-Philippe Gbamin – 5/10, Tyler Onyango – N/A.

Yellow Cards: Mason Holgate and Andre Gomes.