Everton visited Stamford Bridge and held Chelsea to a 1-1 draw, The Blues are now 4 points adrift of league leaders, Man City
By Kehinde Okeowo
The Premier League fixture between Leicester and Tottenham was canceled due to a coronavirus outbreak in the camps, but Chelseas’ clash with Everton was held despite concerns about the virus.
The Blues missed an opportunity to move 2 points behind Premier League leaders Manchester City and a point behind Liverpool, but a depleted Everton side earned a point from a spirited display at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea opened the scoring in the 70th minute through Mason Mount, after he calmly put a pass from Reece James past Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford to give the hosts a deserved 1-0 lead.
Everton however, did not wait for long to return the favour in the 74th minute, when 19-year-old defender Jarrad Branthwaite, lashed onto a freekick from Anthony Gordon to make it 1-1 to the visiting side.
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Pickford denied Chelsea a winner when he superbly saved a powerful header from Brazilian defender Thiago Silva in the later stages of the game.
The Everton goalkeepers’ heroics during the encounter did not go unnoticed by his coach Rafael Benitez, as he praised him for his efforts.
He said “Jordan Pickford made some good saves, it is important to have a good goalkeeper.
“Sometimes you need a bit of luck, this year we are not very lucky with all the injuries.
“It is difficult to get points here but … we did it with so many senior players not available and players on the bench still with some issues.”
On Branthwaite’s goal, Benitez added:
“He’s a good player, a young player who has the potential. We were practicing set-pieces, so I am really pleased for him.”
Thomas Tuchel speaking after the match said they struggled to find a rhythm in the second half because they missed some players, he also attributed the draw to poor marksmanship.
“We missed chances and struggled to find a high rhythm in the second half.
“We didn’t have anyone on the bench, we put the last guys in that we had available and we’re missing big personalities and quality.
“Defensive was zero concerns, we conceded from a set-piece. I cannot break my head if we play like this in defense, they have zero chances to score but did from a free kick.” Tuchel said.
The result means Chelsea are now 4 points adrift of the league leaders, Man City, and 3 points away from Liverpool in second, they are, however, 8 points away from Arsenal in 4th position.
