Chelsea drop crucial points at Stamford Bridge as they go four points behind leaders Man City.
Everton held Chelsea to a 1-1 draw in their Premier League game on Thursday. The Blues continue their poor run of form while Everton the Toffees clinch a crucial point.
Covid hits the Blues
A few hours before the kick-off, Chelsea confirmed four of their first-team players had tested positive for COVID-19. Romelu Lukaku, Timo Werner, Ben Chilwell, and Callum Hudson-Odoi were the players who moved to quarantine.
The sudden absence of the three forwards caused unprecedented problems for Tuchel, which became evident during the game.
Chelsea can’t score!
Chelsea dominated the game, but they could not get past Jordan Pickford in the first half. The England number one made several great saves, while the Blues played without some of their key forwards.
However, the Blues kept on attacking in the second half and finally broke the deadlock in the 70th minute. Following a brilliant through ball from Reece James, Mason Mount fired the ball past Pickford at his near post.
Chelsea tried to control the game after the opener, but Everton were quick in their response. Anthony Gordon’s lovely free-kick found Jarrad Branthwaite, who scored the equalizer from the far post while being unmarked.
Chelsea pushed hard to get the match-winner in the final ten minutes. However, they could not get past Everton’s solid backline.
Chelsea will remain third but fall four points behind league leaders Manchester City. Next up for the Blues is a league game against Wolves. However, the game is in doubt after Chelsea confirmed their COVID-19 outbreak.
On the other hand, Everton remain in 14th place after securing a precious point at Stamford Bridge. The Toffees will meet Burnley in their next league game on Sunday.
Player Ratings
Chelsea: Mendy (6); Azpilicueta (6), Silva (7), Rudiger (6); James (8), Loftus-Cheek (7), Jorginho (6), Alonso (6); Mount (7), Pulisic (6), Ziyech (7).
Bench: Barkley (6), Chalobah (6), Niguez (5).
Everton: Pickford (8); Holgate (6), Branthwaite (6), Keane (5), Godfrey (6); Kenny (7), Dourcoure (6), Gomes (5), Gordon (7); Iwobi (6); Simms (5).
Bench: Dobbin (5), Onyango (6), Gbamin (6).
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