Chelsea missed out on the chance to go top of the Premier League as they were held to a 0-0 draw by Everton at Goodison Park. Victory for the Blues, coupled with Liverpool failing to do likewise against Tottenham later in the day, would have left Chelsea at the summit on Christmas Day, despite Enzo Maresca’s insistence that his side are not in a title race.
On a cold, windy afternoon this was perhaps proof that he was right, as Chelsea largely struggled in an uneventful clash. Nicolas Jackson had two big chances in the first-half, the first bringing a sharp save from Jordan Pickford and the second a header sent against the post from a couple of yards out, but that was as good as it got for the Blues.
Neither side looked particularly likely to find a winner after the break, though Everton went closest as Robert Sanchez kept out Jack Harrison and Tosin Adarabioyo’s block denied Iliman Ndiaye. Chelsea’s eight-match winning run came to an end, while Everton made it six games unbeaten on home soil.
Everton vs Chelsea latest news
- FT: Chelsea waste chance to go top of table
Chelsea ratings
15:59 , Matt VerriRobert Sanchez 8
Fine low save from Mangala in the first-half, then even better one to deny Harrison an opener. A much-needed good afternoon.
Axel Disasi 6
Brought in at right-back amid defensive availability crisis. Just about kept tabs on Ndiaye but does not convince. Booked.
Tosin Adarabioyo 8
Assured performance from the centre-back, who has a big role to play while Fofana and Badiashile remain out. Block on Ndiaye was worth a point.
Read our full player ratings here!
FT: Everton 0-0 Chelsea
15:51 , Matt VerriThat’ll do it at Goodison Park.
Chelsea do not go top of the Premier League, and their eight-match winning run is over.
Everton proving to be a really tough side to play against and the Blues could not find a way past them.
Everton 0-0 Chelsea
15:49 , Matt Verri90 mins: Two minutes added on!
Even the officials have had enough.
Everton 0-0 Chelsea
15:47 , Matt Verri88 mins: Beto slides in late on Colwill, fairly obvious decision for the referee. Yellow card.
Not convinced we’re going to get any late drama here...
Yes, that is hopefully going to jinx it.
Everton 0-0 Chelsea
15:45 , Matt Verri86 mins: Ndiaye is very clearly the danger man for Everton.
Another driving run, it leads to Mangala getting a shot away from the edge of the area. Easy enough for Sanchez.
Everton 0-0 Chelsea
15:42 , Matt Verri84 mins: Gueye with the mistake, Fernandez robs him of the ball and looks to move into the box, but the wind holds it up.
Everton get another bodies back to scramble it clear.
Everton 0-0 Chelsea
15:40 , Matt Verri83 mins: Disasi looking a bit rattled now.
Gives away a dangerous free-kick out wide and earns a booking for his troubles, too.
Everton fans are bang up for this.
Everton 0-0 Chelsea
15:40 , Matt Verri82 mins: Tarkowski down in the box, as he and Disasi have another wrestling match. Been a regular theme throughout the match.
Ball doesn’t reach the two of them, as they continue to grapple away.
Everton 0-0 Chelsea
15:37 , Matt Verri79 mins: Madueke and Nkunku are on for Neto and Jackson.
Chelsea have basically created nothing since half-time. Need someone to produce some magic out of nothing.
Everton 0-0 Chelsea
15:35 , Matt Verri77 mins: Lindstrom with the cross... chaos in the box!
Ndiaye with the shot, the Chelsea bodies flew in front of it, Sanchez there too.
Not sure who got the final touch but it was brilliant defending. Tosin in the end with the block.
Everton 0-0 Chelsea
15:31 , Matt Verri73 mins: Everton corner. This is not where Chelsea want to be.
Cleared out to Gueye, who tries to nod it back out to Ndiaye but Palmer gets there first.
Beto now on for Calvert-Lewin, with Coleman also replacing Young. Makes that three changes - Lindstrom on for Harrison.
Everton 0-0 Chelsea
15:30 , Matt Verri72 mins: Harrison away out wide, his ball into the box is parried out by Sanchez.
Falls for Ndiaye, doesn’t get the shot away quickly enough and it’s played back to the edge of the area... to a Chelsea shirt.
Malik Ouzia at Goodison Park
15:29 , Matt VerriThe wind is back.
I haven’t the best perspective but from this angle it looked very much like Jordan Pickford’s goal-kick almost hit a carrier bag in midair there.
Everton 0-0 Chelsea
15:27 , Matt Verri69 mins: Palmer just starting to have a bit more of an influence, skipping away from the challenges.
Madueke, Felix and the in-form Guiu among those waiting on the bench, should Maresca want to change things. Can’t be long.
Everton 0-0 Chelsea
15:25 , Matt Verri67 mins: Fernandez wins the battle to take it, his effort flicks off the wall and behind for a corner.
Palmer swings it to the back post, whistle goes for an Everton free-kick.
Everton 0-0 Chelsea
15:23 , Matt Verri65 mins: Palmer wiped out on the edge of the area by Mykolenko. Everton were really panicking at the back as Palmer drove towards the box.
Decent chance this for Chelsea.
Everton 0-0 Chelsea
15:21 , Matt Verri63 mins: Ball drops for Fernandez, catches the strike decently but it’s straight at Pickford.
As close as Chelsea have come this half... and it wasn’t very close.
Everton 0-0 Chelsea
15:19 , Matt Verri61 mins: Palmer overhits his cross - been a very quiet afternoon from the Chelsea star so far.
An hour gone and you wouldn’t say either side have done enough to argue they should be in front.
Malik Ouzia at Goodison Park
15:17 , Matt VerriChristmas off for Ashley Young with maybe the most “it’s been coming” booking of the season.
Everton 0-0 Chelsea
15:16 , Matt Verri58 mins: Yellow card for Young, who brings down Sancho. That feels like a real mis-match.
That’s now a suspension for Young, he won’t be involved in the trip to Manchester City on Boxing Day. That’s worked out rather nicely for him.
Malik Ouzia at Goodison Park
15:13 , Matt VerriThere’ve been one or two of those flashpoints and you can’t help but feel that they each play into Everton’s hands.
The crowd are really up now.
Everton 0-0 Chelsea
15:13 , Matt Verri55 mins: Disasi and Tarkowski clash, Everton appealing for a penalty.
Not going to get that, but Tarkowski wasn’t happy with the Chelsea man. Definitely an edge to this match.
Everton 0-0 Chelsea
15:11 , Matt Verri53 mins: Jackson with a clumsy foul out wide, Everton fans furious that he avoids a yellow card.
Maybe a bit fortunate. Reminder that if Jackson is booked, he’ll be facing a one-match suspension.
Everton 0-0 Chelsea
15:09 , Matt Verri51 mins: Great chance for Everton!
Ndiaye again gets away from Disasi, ball into the middle and Sanchez does really well to deny Harrison.
Chelsea struggling early in this half.
Everton 0-0 Chelsea
15:07 , Matt Verri49 mins: Nice bit of skill from Ndiaye to work space for the cross, he’s got the better of Disasi.
Gets past the defenders again, but the cross is far too close to Sanchez. Easily claimed.
Back underway!
15:03Up and running in the second-half!
Around the grounds...
14:54 , Matt VerriMore misery for Manchester United.
They trail Bournemouth at half-time, while Wolves are already three goals up against Leicester. Deadlock yet to be broken as Fulham host Southampton.
Everton 0-0 Chelsea
Fulham 0-0 Southampton
Leicester 0-3 Wolves
Man Utd 0-1 Bournemouth
Malik Ouzia at Goodison Park
14:48 , Matt VerriThe referee adds a minute, spends it booking Jordan Pickford, I think for timewasting, then blows the whistle anyway.
HT: Everton 0-0 Classic
14:48 , Matt VerriNot exactly a classic.
Two best chances have both fallen for Nicolas Jackson, neither of which he could take.
As expected, it’s been a tough test for Chelsea.
Malik Ouzia at Goodison Park
14:46 , Matt VerriJames Tarkowski and Jordan Pickford are peas in a pod.
See ball, hit ball, and don’t worry about whatever else might get in the way.
Everton 0-0 Chelsea
14:45 , Matt Verri44 mins: And another free-kick coming up.
Tarkowski charges out of defence and just shoves Fernandez over. So unnecessary.
He his face for a bit but swiftly realises the referee couldn’t care less and has given the foul against him regardless.
Malik Ouzia at Goodison Park
14:42 , Matt VerriWeird bet of refereeing, that.
Chris Kavanagh stops play because Nicolas Jackson is down off the ball and then, having not given anything initially, decides to restart with a Chelsea free-kick.
Everton 0-0 Chelsea
14:42 , Matt Verri41 mins: Everton making a lot of fouls, already into double figures. Ndiaye booked for the latest.
Good position out on the right wing for Palmer to whip something into the box.
It’s fired in with pace, Calvert-Lewin there to win the initial header.
Everton 0-0 Chelsea
14:39 , Matt Verri38 mins: Sanchez gets down really to deny Mangala.
All came from a driving run from Doucoure, who appeared to be cleaned out by Fernandez on the edge of the area. Referee not interested.
Everton 0-0 Chelsea
14:37 , Matt Verri36 mins: Calvert-Lewis is being given nothing to work with.
Everton trying to lump it up to him to hold, but he’s so isolated. Chelsea winning it back very easily.
Malik Ouzia at Goodison Park
14:33 , Matt VerriGusto’s done well to get out of the way there.
Pickford would have cut him in half if he’d connected.
Everton 0-0 Chelsea
14:33 , Matt Verri31 mins: Chelsea win their first corner of the match.
And it’s off the post! Flicked on at the near post, runs through to Jackson and he heads against the woodwork from about two yards out.
Pickford then smothers Gusto’s effort.
Everton 0-0 Chelsea
14:30 , Matt Verri29 mins: Does feel like Chelsea are controlling things a bit more now.
That Jackson chance was the first time they’ve opened up the Everton defence. Wall of blue shirts has otherwise been fairly solid.
Everton 0-0 Chelsea
14:27 , Matt Verri26 mins: Great save!
Chelsea burst into life. Neto played in down the right, and he slides the pass through to Palmer.
He picks out Jackson in the middle, striker should score but Pickford denies him.
Rebound falls for Gusto, headed over the bar.
Malik Ouzia at Goodison Park
14:25 , Matt VerriYou’d assume that these conditions, being a bit of a leveller, would be help Everton but it’s actually making it really hard to gauge the weight of those direct balls into the channels.
Pickford has overhit three or four now.
Everton 0-0 Chelsea
14:23 , Matt Verri23 mins: Everton with two awful clearances, as Sancho is allowed a couple of chances to shoot.
Third swipe at the ball from the Everton defence does the job.
Everton 0-0 Chelsea
14:22 , Matt Verri21 mins: Pickford launches a kick out towards Harrison... and straight out of play.
It’s not been a great watch so far, conditions aren’t helping.
Haven’t really seen anything from Chelsea yet in attack.
Malik Ouzia at Goodison Park
14:19 , Matt VerriSean Dyche has been remarkably animated in this opening 18 minutes.
I haven’t seen him sit down once.
Everton 0-0 Chelsea
14:18 , Matt Verri18 mins: Danger here for Chelsea, as Fernandez commits the foul and Everton have a free-kick in a really dangerous position.
It’s just about within range for Harrison and Young, you’d think. Both standing over it.
Young gets the nod, whipped over the wall but comfortably claimed by Sanchez.
Everton 0-0 Chelsea
14:16 , Matt Verri15 mins: Doucoure free down the left, clipped ball into the middle is aimed at Calvert-Lewin but Chelsea hack it away.
All a bit chaotic when Everton attack, which is probably to their benefit.
Everton 0-0 Chelsea
14:13 , Matt Verri12 mins: Jackson handles the ball about 15 yards inside his own half and this will be a chance for Everton to lump something into the box.
Tarkowski won the initial header at the back post, but nobody there for Everton to pounce in the box.
Everton 0-0 Chelsea
14:10 , Matt Verri10 mins: Palmer has space in midfield, slides the pass out to Neto who is free on the right.
Can drive inside, onto his left foot and gets the shot away. Straight at Pickford.
Malik Ouzia at Goodison Park
14:09 , Matt VerriThe wind now is absolutely incredible and it’s blowing pretty much directly from one goal to the other.
There are bits of paper and a rogue cone on the pitch. Jordan Pickford looks very cold.
Everton 0-0 Chelsea
14:06 , Matt Verri6 mins: Ndiaye skips away from Diasi, loses his footing but he wins the free-kick as Neto gets back to help his full-back.
Feels like that could be a key battle this afternoon, Ndiaye running at Diasi.
Everton 0-0 Chelsea
14:04 , Matt Verri3 mins: Fairly low-key start to the match.
Gueye gives away an early free-kick, no surprise to see Everton keen to make a mark in midfield early on.
KICK-OFF!
14:01 , Matt VerriWe’re up and running at Goodison Park!
Here we go!
13:58 , Matt VerriTeams are out onto the pitch, it’s a great atmosphere as you’d expect.
Reminder that victory for Chelsea would move to the top of the table, at least for a few hours.
If Liverpool then fail to beat Tottenham later this afternoon, Chelsea will stay top for Christmas.
Not long now!
13:52 , Matt VerriJust under ten minutes to go until kick-off.
Speaking earlier when he first arrived at the ground, Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez admitted he is not relishing these conditions.
"I've been looking outside the window of the bus and the wind looks really strong,” he said.
“It can be difficult to read the ball when it gets in the wind."
Malik Ouzia at Goodison Park
13:47 , Matt VerriFrom Chelsea’s defensive shape in the warm-up, it looks like Gusto at left-back and Disasi on the right.
Malik Ouzia at Goodison Park
13:43 , Matt VerriA cold, windy, grey day on Merseyside, but the mood is upbeat after a momentous week in Everton’s modern history.
I think this’ll be a real challenge for Chelsea.
Dyche explains McNeil absence
13:39 , Matt VerriSean Dyche has explained his decision to name an unchanged lineup this afternoon, with Dwight McNeil not yet fit enough to return.
“Yes, he’s still settling his knee down,” Dyche says.
“We don’t think it's too drastic, but it is taking a bit more time than we hoped for.
“The side gave a very strong performance, very good disciplined performance, very good organisationally [at Arsenal] and we're going to have to perform somewhat like that again today against a very good side in Chelsea.”
Maresca lays out James plan
13:33 , Matt VerriReece James handed Chelsea a boost by returning to training on Friday, but Enzo Maresca has vowed to take a “slowly, slowly” approach to his latest comeback.
James has not featured since the 1-1 draw with Arsenal in early November because of a hamstring problem picked up during the subsequent international break.
The club captain has been plagued by a series of fitness problems - and, in particular, hamstring injuries - over the past three years and has made only six Premier League appearances across the entirety of 2024.
The 25-year-old had surgery last winter in a bid to resolve the issue and did return to full fitness during preseason, only to pick up a fresh problem that eventually ruled him out until mid-October.
James had managed just four appearances for the Blues this term when his latest injury struck and Maresca says the club will be cautious in coaxing him back into action this time around.
“Reece finally [on Friday] will start with us for part of the session, so slowly, slowly, he will be back,” Maresca said.
“That doesn’t mean he is going to be with us on Sunday [against Everton] or next Sunday.
“The plan for him [on Friday] is to be with the team for part of the session and from there to try to build the right condition for him. Then finally he can be back with us.”
New era for Everton
13:26 , Matt VerriEverton's takeover by the Friedkin Group was confirmed this week.
A statement issued by the club on Thursday morning said the Toffees had been acquired by Roundhouse Capital Holdings Limited, an entity within the Friedkin Group.
The club said the deal had received the necessary regulatory approvals from the Premier League, Women's Professional Leagues Limited, the Football Association and the Financial Conduct Authority.
The Premier League's statement confirmed the Friedkin Group had purchased a 98.8 per cent stake in Everton.
It marks the end of a turbulent period for the club under the ownership of Farhad Moshiri.
The club have twice been sanctioned under the Premier League's profitability and sustainability rules (PSR) in the last 13 months, and had eight points in total deducted last season.
In the building!
13:18 , Matt VerriThe Blues have arrived at Goodison...
Chelsea in the house. 👊#CFC | #EVECHE pic.twitter.com/y4a7JOnIBM
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) December 22, 2024
Chelsea duo in danger of suspension
13:09 , Matt VerriPlayers who pick up five yellow cards in the first 19 Premier League matches of the season will receive a one-match ban. The threshold for a suspension after that point in the campaign is raised to 10 bookings after 32 matches.
Therefore, Chelsea’s match against Ipswich Town on December 30 is the final game in which suspensions will be handed out for a fifth yellow card.
With four yellow cards each, both Nicolas Jackson and Robert Sanchez are the Chelsea players in immediate danger as they need to avoid a booking against Everton, Fulham and Ipswich to avoid a one-game ban.
Moises Caicedo, Cole Palmer, Levi Colwill, Romeo Lavia and Noni Madueke are all on three yellow cards, so they too need to be careful over the next three matches.
Meanwhile, Malo Gusto, Joao Felix and Renato Veiga have more breathing room on two and therefore just have to avoid a booking against the Toffees to no longer be a suspension risk.
Four yellow cards: Nicolas Jackson and Robert Sanchez
Three yellow cards: Moises Caicedo, Cole Palmer, Levi Colwill, Romeo Lavia and Noni Madueke
Dele bids farewell to Everton
13:01 , Matt VerriDele Alli says it’s time for him to turn a new page after confirming his Everton exit in an emotional farewell message on social media this week.
Though the former Tottenham star has been without a club since his contract with the Toffees expired in the summer, he has continued to train with the Merseyside outfit.
However, amid being offered the chance to revive his career in Italy with Como - managed by ex-Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas - Alli has taken to Instagram to officially announce his Everton departure.
In the lengthy post, the 28-year-old expressed his gratitude to the club's staff, players and fans for supporting him during a difficult time in his life.
“As widely published this week, 2025 may set me on a new path with some exciting opportunities,” he wrote. “Before any of that happens it’s very important for me to make clear how grateful I am of all the fans, staff and players at Everton FC for the support they have given me.
“It’s been an incredibly tough journey trying to put the final pieces together to regain match fitness and I cannot thank the Everton staff enough for the hard work they have put into this process.
“Unfortunately, things haven’t worked out as we all would have hoped and I think it’s the right time for me to turn a new page.
“I want to wish everyone at this amazing club the very best of luck and hopefully we will see each other again soon.”
Chelsea have options
12:53 , Matt VerriWe might have to wait and see exactly how that Chelsea defence lines up.
It’s written out as though Colwill is at left-back, with Tosin and Disasi the centre-back partnership.
But it could prove to be Disasi at right-back, Guston over on the left and Colwill alongside Tosin in the middle.
Everton team news
12:50Starting XI: Pickford, Young, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko, Mangala, Gueye, Harrison, Doucoure, Ndiaye, Calvert-Lewin
Subs: Virginia, Patterson, Keane, Beto, O'Brien, Chermiti, Coleman, Lindstrom, Armstrong
Chelsea team news
12:46 , Matt VerriStarting XI: Sanchez; Gusto, Tosin, Disasi, Colwill; Caicedo, Fernandez; Neto, Palmer, Sancho; Jackson
Subs: Jorgensen, Acheampong, Veiga, Madueke, Casadei, George, Felix, Nkunku, Guiu
Stand by...
12:39 , Matt VerriAll the team news from Goodison coming up in the next five minutes or so.
Everton hoping to have McNeil back, Chelsea needing to fill a gap in the absence of Cucurella.
Stage is set!
12:32 , Matt VerriSun not exactly shining over Goodison...
A cold and rainy day here at Goodison Park. 🌧️#CFC | #EVECHE pic.twitter.com/Jyt6s50FHX
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) December 22, 2024
Maresca offers Guiu update
12:26 , Matt VerriEnzo Maresca wants to keep Marc Guiu at Chelsea next month - but says he is ready to listen if the striker demands a January loan move.
It has been a superb week for the Spanish forward, who followed two goals at Astana last Thursday with a hat-trick in the 5-1 thrashing of Shamrock Rovers in the Conference League last night.
With six goals in all, the 18-year-old finishes the group stage as the competition’s leading scorer, but Chelsea do not play the first leg of their last-16 tie until March and first-team minutes could be hard to come by between now and then.
He has not played a minute in the Premier League since the opening day of the season.
There have already been reports of loan interest in Guiu in the teenager’s homeland and Chelsea may soon have a decision to make over how his development is best served in the second half of the campaign.
"With young players like Marc, like Josh [Acheampong], like Tyrique [George], for me, the best thing for them is to be with us,” said Marecsa.
“Because they can understand every day the way we want to play, they can grow, we can teach them how we want them to play.
“So, I think it's better if they stay with us. But then it depends a little on the desire of the players.
“If in this case, Marc’s desire is to get more minutes and to play more, then we see we sit with him and we will decide together.”
Can Blues keep denying title bid?
12:15 , Matt VerriThe pretence plumbed comic new depths this week as, when asked the now obligatory question about whether Chelsea are in this title race, Noni Madueke chose extreme evasive action as the wisest course.
“I don’t know what that is,” the winger told the BBC, launching his head towards the sand and sounding a bit like Jack Grealish that time it was put to him that he was a ‘football encyclopaedia’.
“I feel like title race talk in December, I’m not indulging in that,” the 22-year-old added. “The race hasn’t even started yet.” How the likes of Arsenal and Manchester City must wish that were true.
A smirk told you that Madueke, as with Enzo Maresca and all of his players, is by now in on the joke and they must all know that come four-o'clock, the party line could become impossible to hold.
Should the Blues beat Everton on their final Premier League visit to Goodison Park they will, at least briefly, climb to the top of the Premier League. Should Liverpool then fail to win at Tottenham later this evening, they will still be there come Christmas Day. From that position, in the Premier League era, Chelsea have gone on to win the title five times out of five.
Blues wave goodbye to Goodison
12:06 , Matt VerriThis is Chelsea’s final trip to Goodison Park in the Premier League - they won’t be too sad about that.
The Blues have won just twice in their last ten visits to face Everton, and they were beaten 2-0 here in December last year.
This, though, feels like a very different Chelsea team.
Standard Sport prediction
11:57 , Matt VerriIt has not been easy for Chelsea against Everton in recent years but this young team have been so impressive all season, it’s hard to look past them.
With the squad so strong, the midweek fixtures have not put an added strain on the first-team stars and the likes of Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson should once again be rested.
Chelsea to win 3-1.
Chelsea team news
11:50 , Matt VerriEnzo Maresca may have to get creative to solve a defensive headache this afternoon.
Marc Cucurella is suspended after his late red card against Brentford last weekend and Wesley Fofana, Benoit Badiashile and Reece James are all still out.
Tosin Adarabioyo will likely partner Levi Colwill at centre-back, while Malo Gusto is sure to play on one of the flanks, but Maresca must decide which of Axel Disasi, Renato Veiga and youngster Josh Acheampong fills in on the other.
Moises Caicedo would usually be an option at right-back, but Maresca has revealed that Romeo Lavia is struggling to recover from a hamstring injury in time to play and the Ecuadorian will therefore likely be needed in midfield.
Further forward, Joao Felix is available again after returning from injury as a substitute against Shamrock Rovers in midweek.
That Noni Madueke started against Shamrock is probably bad news for his chances of doing likewise at Goodison Park, with Jadon Sancho and Pedro Neto rested and ready to come in.
Predicted Chelsea lineup: Sanchez; Gusto, Tosin, Colwill, Veiga; Caicedo, Fernandez; Neto, Palmer, Sancho; Jackson
Everton team news
11:43 , Matt VerriArmando Broja cannot play against parent club Chelsea due to the terms of his loan move to Everton.
Dwight McNeil faces a late fitness test but James Garner and Timothy Iroegbunam remain sidelined.
The game may also come too soon for Youssef Chermiti.
How to watch Everton vs Chelsea
11:35TV channel and live stream: The game will not be shown in the UK.
Free highlights: Match of the Day 2 will show highlights when it airs at 10.30pm GMT on BBC One on Sunday.
LIVE coverage: Follow all the action right here with us, featuring expert analysis from Malik Ouzia at the ground!
Good morning!
11:28 , Matt VerriHello and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Everton vs Chelsea!
Enzo Maresca’s side have the chance, for a few hours at least, to move to the top of the Premier League table.
Everton, though, have been in better form recently, holding Arsenal to a goalless draw last weekend.
We’ll have all the latest updates, build-up and team news ahead of kick-off, which comes at 2pm GMT from Goodison Park.
