Chelsea vs Everton LIVE: Nicolas Jackson objective sends hosts forward with blazing strike
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 1-0 Everton
90 mins: Four minutes of added time to play. Can Everton score to equalise or will Chelsea hold out?
Chelsea 1-0 Everton
87 mins: Save! That could be the moment to win this game for Chelsea!
Everton attack down the left and lift a cross into the box.
Dwight McNeil, off the bench, comes running into the box and volleys a shot at goal.
Robert Sanchez is wrongfooted but pushes back to the right and, fully stretched, palms the ball wide!
Chelsea 1-0 Everton
84 mins: Chelsea are maintaing possession, keeping it in midfield and trying to draw Everton out.
GOAL! Or is it.
Cucurella takes a shot from range and forces a save from Pickford. He palms the ball to Jackson who turns it home.
VAR checks the goal but Jackson is clearly offside and it won’t stand.
Chelsea 1-0 Everton
81 mins: Everton have impressed as this second half has gone on.
The changes David Moyes has made has given them a bit more in the final third. Can they finish with a flourish and rescue a point?
Chelsea 1-0 Everton
78 mins: Jaden Sancho comes on to replace Noni Madueke for Chelsea.
A tick over 10 minutes to play at Stamford Bridge. Can Chelsea get themselves over the line?
Chelsea 1-0 Everton
75 mins: A cross from the right comes sweeping across the box and drops to Mykolenko arriving late.
He looks for a first time shot but miscues the effort.
Chelsea then break quickly up the pitch and get the ball to Madueke on the left.
He weaves inside and dribbles past two defenders before slotting a shot at goal and forcing Pickford into another decent save!
Chelsea 1-0 Everton
72 mins: Mykolenko lifts a cross into the box and finds a teammate but the second header loops high into the air for Robert Sanchez to catch and cling on to.
Chelsea 1-0 Everton
69 mins: Everton sweep a free kick into the box where Chelsea deal with the cross.
A free kick is awarded to the hosts and Robert Sanchez looks to play out from the back.
Chelsea 1-0 Everton
66 mins: Romeo Lavia is taken off by Enzo Maresca with Reece James introduced for Chelsea.
Moises Caicedo will move up to the midfielder and James slots in at right-back.
A long throw from Everton comes into the box and is headed out to Idrissa Gueye.
He strikes a volley sweetly but drills it straight into the hands of Sanchez.
Chelsea 1-0 Everton
63 mins: Save!
That’s a great stop from Robert Sanchez. A quick turn over from Everton sees them poke the ball to Beto.
He shrugs off the nearest defender then laces a shot, very similar to Jackson’s goal, from the right side of the pitch.
It’s a good strike but Sanchez leaps to the right and palms the ball wide!
