Everton 0-0 Chelsea
by James Nalton
at Goodison Park

EVERTON and Chelsea played out a competitive, occasionally stormy 0-0 draw at Goodison Park on a blustery afternoon on Merseyside today.

The elements could have affected the game more than they eventually did.

It was a testament to both sets of players that the game made for a seasonal spectacle for the 39,358 in attendance despite the lack of goals.

The wind swirled into Goodison Park, and rain blew in through the open corners of the old stadium.

At moments early in the first half some particularly strong gusts blew a stray cone onto the pitch and players had trouble keeping the ball still for goal kicks and free kicks.

Once it died down, some football could be played. Chances in the first half fell to Nicolas Jackson who was sent through by Cole Palmer, and Jordan Pickford made a good save.

Jackson hit the woodwork when a corner kick fell to him to attempt a header at the far post, while Malo Gusto had a couple of half chances from follow-ups, but the Toffees managed to get blocks in.

The home side also had some promising moments in attack. The ever-impressive Iliman Ndiaye looked likely and some good work from him and Abdoulaye Doucoure in midfield led to a decent effort from distance from Orel Mangala which was saved by Robert Sanchez.

Everton had their best chance of the game at the start of the second half when Ndiaye sent a ball over to Jack Harrison at the far post. The choices were a shot or a ball inside to a teammate, but Harrison’s effort was somewhere in between and was cut out by Sanchez.

Various debris littered the pitch after the half-time break and occasionally some good football did too.

Two English defenders, Jarrad Branthwaite and Tosin Adarabioyo were solid at the back for their respective teams on an afternoon where defensive work outdid attacking flair, even though there were examples of both.

For all of Chelsea’s lavish spending, Adarabioyo, who arrived on a free transfer from Fulham, has been one of their more solid signings. He was making just his fifth start in the Premier League but has played a key role in Chelsea’s perfect record in the Conference League this season.

It was he who made a crucial block from Ndiaye after substitute Jesper Lindstrom played a dangerous ball into the box that could only be parried by Sanchez.

Chelsea used their deep squad to try to change the game, bringing on attackers Noni Madueke and Christopher Nkunku, but Everton’s defence remained stout.

If anything, Everton were in dangerous attacking situations more often than Chelsea later in the game, with that chance falling to Ndiaye and Mangala testing Sanchez from distance once again.

Cheers of appreciation rippled around Goodison Park as the final whistle was blown, and Everton were certainly the more pleased with the result which somewhat stalled Chelsea’s challenge at the top of the table.