Pickford shows class as depleted Everton holds Chelsea

Jordan Pickford starred as a much-depleted Everton scrapped their way to a 1-1 draw with Chelsea, who lost more ground in the title race.

The England goalkeeper was called upon to make nine saves in a match where Chelsea had 23 shots on goal but only had a Mason Mount strike on 70 minutes to show for their dominance. That lead only lasted four minutes as Jarrad Branthwaite knocked home a sublime Anthony Gordon set-piece to equalise.

The draw leaves Chelsea four points behind Manchester City in third place in the Premier League table.

It was a heroic performance from the visitors as Rafa Benitez’s side arrived at Stamford Bridge with a decimated squad that was missing Richarlison, Demarai Gray, Salomon Rondon, Lucas Digne, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Andros Townsend. Such were their selection problems, Benitez handed a debut to 20-year-old Ellis Simms to lead the line.

READ ALSOEverton closing in on €23m left-back Mykolenko

Meanwhile, Chelsea were missing Romelu Lukaku, Timo Werner and Callum Hudson-Odoi after the trio tested positive for Covid-19 as Thomas Tuchel could only name eight substitutes, including two goalkeepers.