Chelsea vs Everton LIVE: Blues look to earn important three factors in race for Champions League spots
Chelsea host Everton in the weekend’s early kick-off in the Premier League today, with Enzo Maresca’s side in desperate need of three points as they hunt Champions League qualification.
The Blues sit in sixth coming into the weekend, two points behind Newcastle, who are currently occupying the last Champions League spot with five matches to go.
And Chelsea have perhaps the most difficult remaining fixtures out of the five sides aiming for the last three places in the top five, so it could be vital to pick up three points here ahead of matches against Liverpool, Newcastle and Nottingham Forest.
Everton have little to play for after David Moyes steered them clear of relegation since taking over in January, though they’ll aim to spoil the party at Stamford Bridge as they look to end the season on a high.
Follow all the latest team news, build-up and updates from Stamford Bridge below:
Chelsea 0-0 Everton
21 mins: A physical battle between Beto and Levi Colwill is won by the Everton forward who holds up the ball and wins his team a free kick.
Everton send it over to the left then work a diagonal pass out to Jack Harrison but the winger is unable to keep the ball in play.
Chelsea 0-0 Everton
18 mins: Chelsea are having plenty of space to work with and there’s been a few little errors from Everton at the back.
Things like taking too long to play the pass or clear the ball which is allowing the hosts to turn it over deep in their attacking third.
Chelsea win another corner but this one is dealt with by Jack Harrison who wins a free kick for the Toffees.
Chelsea 0-0 Everton
15 mins: A corner ball is knocked short to Palmer. He gives it to Romeo Lavia who returns the ball before Palmer lifts the cross to the back post.
Colwill is the there and turns a header towards goal but it’s deflected behind for another set piece.
This one is curled into the penalty area but Everton clear it well.
Chelsea 0-0 Everton
11 mins: Levi Colwill makes a fine pass over the top and lands the ball on the chest of Cole Palmer making a diagonal run into the box.
His first touch is a little heavy which allows Pickford enough time to come off his line and scoop up the ball.
Chelsea 0-0 Everton
9 mins: A lovely long ball releases Vitaliy Mykolenko down the left wing and the Everton left-back bombs it forward.
Trevoh Chalobah sprints across as cover, sticks out a leg in a well-timed challenge and nicks back possession without too much trouble for Chelsea.
Chelsea 0-0 Everton
6 mins: Noni Madueke shoulder Nathan Patterson off the ball deep in Everton’s final third.
He carries the ball into the penalty area but Patterson, with the help of Idrissa Gueye, manages to get back and recover possession.
Madueke has started out on the left wing for the Blues which was unexpected.
Chelsea 0-0 Everton
3 mins: A threaded pass aims to get Nicolas Jackson in behind the back line but Vitaly Mykolenko is on hand to pass the ball back to Pickford and cut the Chelsea attack short.
Kick off! Chelsea 0-0 Everton
Everton get the ball rolling at Stamford Bridge. It’s sent back to Jordan Pickford who boots it over to the right wing.
The ball floats over the head of Levi Colwill and Beto clashes with Marc Cucurella as it drops.
Cucurella wins Chelsea an early free kick.
Chelsea vs Everton
The players make their way out onto the pitch at Stamford Bridge.
Cole Palmer will be hoping to get himself back on the scoresheet today after 16 games without scoring.
Chelsea come into the match sitting sixth in the table but a win will take them into the top four.
With Champions League qualification stretching to the top five places this season, the Blues cannot afford to drop any points today.
Kick off is up next…
Ndiaye speaking to TNT Sports:
“We are very motivated. We’re very determined to finish the season stronger than we started. It starts today and it is very important to win.
“We are away from home [against Chelsea] this time. It is going to be more difficult than the home game. We want to try to get a little bit more control than the last game, it will be difficult but we want to try.”
