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Chelsea squandered the opportunity to temporarily claim the top spot in the Premier League table as they were held to a 0-0 draw by Everton at Goodison Park. The Toffees, playing their first game under new ownership, frustrated Chelsea with a resolute defensive display, reminiscent of their performance against Arsenal two weeks ago.
Despite dominating possession in the first half, Chelsea struggled to break down Everton’s defense, with Jordan Pickford making crucial saves in challenging weather conditions. The hosts even looked more likely to score at the start of the second half before Chelsea regained control.
However, Chelsea’s attacking duo of Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson were effectively neutralized by Everton’s defense. The Blues were also fortunate to have Robert Sanchez and Tosin Adarabioyo make key interventions to deny Everton clear scoring opportunities.
The draw leaves Chelsea one point behind Liverpool, who will regain a four-point lead if they defeat Tottenham Hotspur later in the day. Everton, meanwhile, rise to 15th place and now enjoy a four-point cushion above the relegation zone.
This result marks a missed opportunity for Chelsea to apply pressure on the league leaders. Historically, Chelsea have won the Premier League title every time they’ve been top at Christmas, but they’ve never finished first when they’ve been second on December 25.
While Chelsea may view this result as two points dropped, Everton can take encouragement from their resilient defensive performance. The Toffees’ rearguard action is among the best in the league, and they can build on this result despite struggling to find consistency in attack.
