Everton and Chelsea played to a 0-0 draw at Goodison Park on December 22, 2024, marking the end of the first half of the Premier League season with no goals scored. Chelsea, who remained second in the league and was pursuing their sixth consecutive victory, faced Everton, who recently completed their sale to the Friedkin Group and were sitting at 16th position.
Heading to the match, Chelsea were riding high, determined to extend their eight-match winning streak across all competitions, including their last five league victories. They came off a dominant 5-1 victory over Brentford, and their confidence was palpable as they prepared to take on Everton.
Despite missing players like Marc Cucurella due to suspension, and injuries to both Reece James and Wesley Fofana, Chelsea fielded key players like Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson, who had been rested during their European Conference League triumph.
The match commenced under harsh weather conditions, with the wind playing a significant role. Chelsea, forced to adapt its game, initially used the right flank, with Palmer creating chances. The game saw both teams probing for opportunities, but Everton's strong defensive setup made it difficult for Chelsea to land any solid attacks.
At the 26-minute mark, Jackson almost broke the deadlock after reacting perfectly to Palmer's low cross. Yet, his shot was expertly saved by Everton's goalkeeper, Jordan Pickford, who showed his quality with other notable saves throughout the match.
Chelsea would threaten again shortly after, with Enzo Fernandez's corner kick landing with Jackson, but he narrowly hit the right post, and Gustao's follow-up was halted by Pickford's fierce defense.
While Chelsea appeared to dominate possession, Everton's counter-attacks proved dangerous. A key moment was when Abdoulaye Doucouré laid off the ball to Mangalá just outside the penalty box; thankfully for Chelsea, Roberto Sanchez was able to make an important save.
Barriers continued to hinder Everton’s offensive progression as Chelsea maintained pressure. Still, Everton's defense, led by Pickford, held firm, prompting Chelsea to reconsider their attacking strategies.
The second half saw some switches, with both teams initially unchanged. Everton implemented fresh legs with the introduction of players like Coleman and Lindström to regain control. Shortly after, they found themselves with significant chances; Harrison collected Endiaïé's cross but was denied again by Sanchez.
Chelsea’s attempts to forge through Everton's determined defense proved frustrating. Major substitutions were made, introducing players like Christopher Nkunku for Chelsea and Cole for Everton, but neither team could find the breakthrough.
Right at the 76-minute mark, Everton looked to seize the chance when Lindström's cross deflected off Sanchez but was blocked dramatically by Chelsea's defender, Ahmad Diallo, preserving the deadlock.
With the final minutes approaching, both teams exchanged pressure, but neither could convert, ensuring the match concluded at 0-0. This result halted Chelsea's winning streak, as they missed the chance to leap to the top of the league, ending their momentum from recent successes.
After the match, Chelsea's head coach, Enzo Maresca, expressed pride in his players' effort. He noted, "I am very satisfied with how our players performed against one of Europe’s best defensive sides. We could’ve adapted our approach, but we remain happy with our play," Maresca told BBC.
Despite the stalemate, Maresca highlighted the formidable nature of Everton's defense, reinforcing the need for Chelsea to remain adaptable as they navigate the challenging Premier League climate.
