Chelsea’s title challenge temporarily stalled as Everton held them to a 0-0 draw in a frenetic clash at Stamford Bridge.
Despite the lack of goals, both teams did their bit to produce a highly entertaining clash, one in which Chelsea created enough chances to win, only for Maurizio Sarri’s side to rue their lack of a finishing touch.
Everton, who have struggled at Stamford Bridge with just one win in the Premier League era – a span of 27 matches now – had the best of the opening exchanges.
Andre Gomes attacked their first corner well but directed his header wide under pressure from Antonio Rudiger, and Yerry Mina went oh-so-close to getting on the end of Gylfi Sigurdsson’s free-kick, with David Luiz getting just enough of a touch to put the Colombia international off.
Then Bernard, seeking his first goal for the Merseyside club, produced a brilliant first touch which allowed him to drill in a shot that just faded away from Kepa’s goal.
Chelsea were putting an undefeated run, stretching back to the Community Shield, on the line with their 1-0 win over BATE in the Europa League on Thursday guaranteeing the Blues’ qualification from their group as leaders – and taking that unbeaten streak to 17 matches in all competitions. While they extended that run to 18 with this draw, the killer touch eluded them.
While the hosts had plenty of possession, they had few clear-cut chances early on, although Lucas Digne had to produce two excellent defensive headers to avert Chelsea danger in the space of a minute, when the Blues eventually pushed forward.
Mina saw an early, and somewhat harsh yellow card for what was deemed a foul on Eden Hazard, which earned a free-kick in a central position, but Alonso’s curling strike just did not bend enough, skimming the far post with 23 minutes gone.
All to often, Eden Hazard had to come deep often to pick up possession for Chelsea, but one brilliant first touch allowed him dribble and to cross into the danger area where Willian and Morata were lurking. The ball clipped of Digne’s thigh and broke to N’Golo Kante, whose follow-up shot was blocked.
Chelsea’s first real shot on target came with 38 minutes gone. Willian’s free-kick picked out Alonso, who lashed a fierce volley goalwards on the angle of the six-yard box, only for Everton keeper Jordan Pickford to produce a pair of strong hands and avert the danger.
Morata had a half-hearted penalty shout waived away by referee Kevin Friend after going down late under Mina’s challenge, but the Spaniard had taken a poor touch before he went down a little too easily.
While there was plenty of quality in the first period, there was little final product and it all got a little tetchy before the break when Rudiger rolled around holding his nose, claiming the diminutive Bernard had used his head illegally. Friend booked the pair of them for adopting an aggressive attitude. It was the correct decision, although Chelsea fans were incandescent and the perceived injustice.
Chelsea’s title challenge temporarily stalled as Everton held them to a 0-0 draw in a frenetic clash at Stamford Bridge.
Despite the lack of goals, both teams did their bit to produce a highly entertaining clash, one in which Chelsea created enough chances to win, only for Maurizio Sarri’s side to rue their lack of a finishing touch.
Everton, who have struggled at Stamford Bridge with just one win in the Premier League era – a span of 27 matches now – had the best of the opening exchanges.
Andre Gomes attacked their first corner well but directed his header wide under pressure from Antonio Rudiger, and Yerry Mina went oh-so-close to getting on the end of Gylfi Sigurdsson’s free-kick, with David Luiz getting just enough of a touch to put the Colombia international off.
Then Bernard, seeking his first goal for the Merseyside club, produced a brilliant first touch which allowed him to drill in a shot that just faded away from Kepa’s goal.
Chelsea were putting an undefeated run, stretching back to the Community Shield, on the line with their 1-0 win over BATE in the Europa League on Thursday guaranteeing the Blues’ qualification from their group as leaders – and taking that unbeaten streak to 17 matches in all competitions. While they extended that run to 18 with this draw, the killer touch eluded them.
While the hosts had plenty of possession, they had few clear-cut chances early on, although Lucas Digne had to produce two excellent defensive headers to avert Chelsea danger in the space of a minute, when the Blues eventually pushed forward.
Mina saw an early, and somewhat harsh yellow card for what was deemed a foul on Eden Hazard, which earned a free-kick in a central position, but Alonso’s curling strike just did not bend enough, skimming the far post with 23 minutes gone.
All to often, Eden Hazard had to come deep often to pick up possession for Chelsea, but one brilliant first touch allowed him dribble and to cross into the danger area where Willian and Morata were lurking. The ball clipped of Digne’s thigh and broke to N’Golo Kante, whose follow-up shot was blocked.
Chelsea’s first real shot on target came with 38 minutes gone. Willian’s free-kick picked out Alonso, who lashed a fierce volley goalwards on the angle of the six-yard box, only for Everton keeper Jordan Pickford to produce a pair of strong hands and avert the danger.
Morata had a half-hearted penalty shout waived away by referee Kevin Friend after going down late under Mina’s challenge, but the Spaniard had taken a poor touch before he went down a little too easily.
While there was plenty of quality in the first period, there was little final product and it all got a little tetchy before the break when Rudiger rolled around holding his nose, claiming the diminutive Bernard had used his head illegally. Friend booked the pair of them for adopting an aggressive attitude. It was the correct decision, although Chelsea fans were incandescent and the perceived injustice.