Chelsea controlled proceedings at Stamford Bridge but left it extremely late to beat Everton in this entertaining and action packed encounter.
The Blues were cruising before the break thanks to Wright-Phillips’ sublime strike, but the game swung on a controversial red card for Mikel John Obi early on in the second half.
Yakubu’s equaliser stunned the home side, but just as all looked lost Wright-Phillips pressured Joleon Lescott into a headed own goal.
First Half
With both sides missing key players, Avram Grant raised eyebrows by omitting Ashley Cole from his entire 16.
Florent Malouda, however, returned from injury, slotting straight into left midfield in a diamond 4-4-2 with Obi in the holding role.
Chelsea almost enjoyed the perfect start as Shaun Wright-Phillips capitalised on poor Everton defending but couldn’t direct his volley on target.
The Blues threatened down the flanks repeatedly: Carsley did well to block Joe Cole’s effort after smart work from Pizarro. The game was frantic, with tackles flying thick and fast: nobody could doubt the importance of the occasion to either side.
Belletti’s hurried effort from distance was rifled into the crowd, but in the main neither side created much with their forays into opposition territory until Wright-Phillips’ beautiful strike. Played in by Malouda on the left edge of the box, the England man curled the ball beyond the outstretched Howard and into the bottom right-hand corner. It was a superbly worked move.
Seconds later Cole could have made it 2-0. Played through, he beat the Everton defence for pace before being felled on the edge of the area. To Cole’s credit he persisted with his run rather than sprawling on the floor. Michael Ballack blasted the free-kick marginally wide. Chelsea were positively flying now as Wright-Phillips’ effort went behind for a corner.
Everton mustered precious little, Johnson’s flash header wide offering little cause for celebration as the home side continued to dominate the midfield. Wright-Phillips, Belletti and Pizarro almost pieced together a slick scoring opportunity before half time, but the Blues had to be satisfied with a one-goal advantage.
Second Half
Chelsea exploded out of the blocks again: Rumbling Everton’s offside trap, Wright-Phillips could only launch his shot straight at Howard; Ballack glanced a header wide.
Everton were battling to gain a foothold, but of nothing Mikel John Obi was shown a red card for his challenge on Cahill. His foot was off the ground, but neither very high nor two-footed. Since the Nigerian made no contact with his opponent the dismissal seemed particularly harsh. Avram Grant may be regretting his call – made after Peter Crouch’s tackle on Obi in the Carling Cup quarter final – for referees to clamp down on such challenges.
Substitute Sidwell’s tackle on Carsley minutes later appeared far worse, yet he wasn’t even booked. Chelsea initially appeared unfazed as Pizarro’s shot with the outside of the boot forced Howard to save, but Everton pounced on Hilario’s mistake to draw level. The Portuguese keeper flapped at Cahill’s cross, allowing Yobo to knock the ball across to Yakubu, who lashed it high through a crowded six-yard box and into the net. It was the Toffees’ first shot on target.
Chelsea were now wobbling: Yakubu’s back heel played McFadden through on the left. The Scot danced along the bye line, beat Carvalho and dinked in a ball that clipped the far post. With home fans baying for blood (or an Everton red card), Chelsea asserted their authority on the game once more. A penalty appeal from Belletti for an arm by Lescott was waved away: the Brazilian was booked moments later for lunging at the Toffees man.
Everton, too, had a decent shout for a spot kick as Johnson was floored in the box. Pizarro’s turn-and-volley provoked a scramble ten yards out, while crosses rained down on the penalty area. A draw looked certain, but Everton were finally cracked in the dying seconds as Joleon Lescott headed Ballack’s cross into his own net under pressure from Wright-Phillips.
The goal was harsh on the Toffees’ hard-working back four, but over the 90 minutes Chelsea certainly merited the win.
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