Follow live coverage as Everton face Chelsea today in the Premier League. Another top-flight season will be covered in full right here with The Independent, as reigning champions Manchester City look to make it an unprecedented five titles in a row come the end of 2024/25.
The likes of Arsenal and Liverpool will be chasing Pep Guardiola's side, but just as fascinating will be the race for Champions League places, with more teams than ever before having designs on top-four finishes. Chelsea remain big-spending, Manchester United's latest rebuild continues and both Tottenham and Newcastle will expect improvements this year - yet it was Aston Villa who snared fourth last term.
Meanwhile, it's Southampton, Leicester City and Ipswich Town who made it back to the elite after promotion last year and each will have hope they can make it more than a one-year stay. Follow the latest live action from the Premier League below:
Everton FC 0 - 0 Chelsea FC
Everton vs Chelsea
15:55Everton grew into the match as it wore on and looked far more cohesive going forward after the restart, doing just enough to earn a 0-0 draw with Chelsea at Goodison Park. After a first half that was dominated by the visitors and saw Jackson squander two chances in and around the six-yard box, it was Sanchez that was the busier of the two goalkeepers after the restart, thwarting Harrison’s left footed strike from close range before making a second stop of the game on Mangala - both efforts from distance. The wet and windy conditions didn’t help as both sides largely failed to make the most of set-piece opportunities, though Chelsea edged the expected goals 0.77 to 0.39 - despite being outproduced in the second half. The Toffees stay in 15th ahead of a trip to Manchester City on December 26, while second-placed Chelsea miss the chance to go top and welcome Fulham to Stamford Bridge on Boxing Day. That concludes our commentary of the Premier League fixture between Everton and Chelsea - we hope you’ve enjoyed it!
Everton vs Chelsea
15:52FULL-TIME: EVERTON 0-0 CHELSEA
Everton vs Chelsea
15:50The fourth official indicates two minutes will be added to the end of the match for stoppages.
Everton vs Chelsea
15:49Madueke takes up a wide position on the right wing and receives Caicedo’s pass before swinging his leg to send a cross into the near post, where it’s dealt with easily by Pickford.
Everton vs Chelsea
15:47Yellow Card Norberto Bercique Gomes Betuncal
Everton vs Chelsea
15:46GOOD SAVE! Ndiaye looks to dribble through three Chelsea defenders 20 yards from goal but he’s eventually halted by Disasi, with the ball rolling out to Mangala following up behind them. The midfielder wastes no time and hits a dipping shot towards Sanchez’s right-hand post but the goalkeeper is equal to it, making a secure catch!
Everton vs Chelsea
15:44Everton lost their first two Premier League home games this season, conceding three goals in each match. Since then, they’re unbeaten in five at Goodison Park (two wins and three draws), keeping three clean sheets and conceding just twice.
Everton vs Chelsea
15:43Lindstrom whips the free-kick from the left in towards the near post but it’s headed away powerfully by Caicedo, with a loud, accompanying thud.
Everton vs Chelsea
15:41Lindstrom’s outswinging corner is easily headed away by Adarabioyo at the near post, with nobody in an Everton kit attacking the delivery.
Everton vs Chelsea
15:40Yellow Card Axel Wilson Arthur Disasi Mhakinis Belho
Everton vs Chelsea
15:38THE BALL SOMEHOW STAYS OUT! INCREDIBLE! Beto wrestles the ball from Colwill in midfield, allowing Mangala to find Lindstrom inside the Chelsea penalty area. The winger drives towards the penalty area and puts a low cross into the six-yard box for Beto, but Sanchez gets a hand to it. It squirms out to the oncoming Ndiaye but Adarabioyo holds his ground and makes a key block, clattering into the forward in the process!
Everton vs Chelsea
15:34Substitution Pedro Lomba Neto Chukwunonso Tristan Madueke
Everton vs Chelsea
15:32Substitution Jack David Harrison Jesper Grænge Lindstrøm
Everton vs Chelsea
15:32Substitution Ashley Simon Young Séamus Coleman
Everton vs Chelsea
15:32Substitution Dominic Nathaniel Calvert-Lewin Norberto Bercique Gomes Betuncal
Everton vs Chelsea
15:31Harrison manages to wriggle free of both Sancho and Gusto before playing a right-footed cross into the six-yard box, where a leaping Sanchez pushes it to the far side of the penalty area. Ndiaye has the chance to hit an acute-angle shot towards the open goal but he opts to pull the ball back for a team-mate instead - allowing Fernandez to intervene.
Everton vs Chelsea
15:30Only Liverpool (seven) have had more clean sheets in the Premier League this season than Everton (six). However, the Toffees have also failed to score in the most different games this term (eight), while no team has scored in more games than Chelsea (15).
Everton vs Chelsea
15:28While Everton haven’t generated many chances in the opening hour, they have been efficient, putting all three of their shots on target. It’s only amounted to an xG of 0.08, though Harrison could have done better with his left-footed chance at the 50th minute, while Chelsea are at 0.74 after 11 shots - five of which have tested Pickford.
Everton vs Chelsea
15:26Palmer lays the free-kick off for Fernandez, whose first-time hit deflects off the head of Doucoure in the wall and behind for a corner.
Everton vs Chelsea
15:25Palmer is sent to the ground just a step outside the 18-yard box in a central position by a combination of Mykolenko and Doucoure, giving Chelsea another free-kick in a dangerous area. They’ll be hoping to test Pickford this time, having had just one shot on target so far in the half.
Everton vs Chelsea
15:24Sancho gets the better of Young down the wing, with the full-back careful to not draw a second booking, forcing Harrison to come back and help cover the space. He’s too late - allowing Sancho to chip a cross to the far post - but Mykolenko is again on the scene to clean up.
Everton vs Chelsea
15:21Fernandez cuts inside from the left ahead by Mangala and fires a shot from 18 yards out that Pickford eventually deals with; knocking it down with his chest before smothering the loose ball to end the move.
Everton vs Chelsea
15:20Fernandez and Sancho work a short-corner routine before bringing Palmer into play, but his off-balance cross from near the byline is once again put directly out of play - with the wind certainly not helping Chelsea and their accuracy.
Everton vs Chelsea
15:19Fernandez curls the ensuing set-piece towards the far post but the Argentina international sends it over the head of Disasi, and too far in front of Jackson, giving Everton a chance to clear their lines and move up the pitch from a goal-kick.
Everton vs Chelsea
15:16Wolves’ 3-0 lead over Leicester City in their concurrent fixture means that while 15th-placed Everton go temporarily two points above the Foxes in 17th, the gap between them and the relegation zone is down to just four points from six - though it could be restored to two wins with a victory over Chelsea.
Everton vs Chelsea
15:16Yellow Card Ashley Simon Young
Everton vs Chelsea
15:15Frustrations boil over following an Everton free-kick sent out of play at the far post by Harrison, with Tarkowski going to ground after a tangling of legs with Disasi. The Chelsea defender tells his opponent to get up, which sends his counterpart into a rage, and the two end up shoving each other. The rest of the sides come in to diffuse the situation and they do so without a moment to spare, with the referee keeping his cards in his pocket.
Everton vs Chelsea
15:12Palmer’s high, hanging, inswinging corner fails to come down for a team-mate, with the ball travelling over the head of Disasi and directly behind for a goal-kick.
Everton vs Chelsea
15:11SANCHEZ COMES UP BIG! Pickford’s long kick out from the back is flicked on by Calvert-Lewin in midfield for Ndiaye, whose cross from the left manages to bounce through all the way to Harrison at the far post. The winger puts the ball on his favoured left foot and looks to caress a finish into the far corner but Sanchez closes down the angle and smothers the low shot!
Everton vs Chelsea
15:08Sancho curls a cross to the far post after Caicedo’s lovely switch of play but Mykolenko is able to take his time, chesting the ball down before Ndiaye puts in a helpful, hooked clearance.
Everton vs Chelsea
15:05Chelsea get the match restarted from the kick-off!
Everton vs Chelsea
14:54Certainly not short of options to call upon from the bench, Maresca has a list of choices that would make most coaches jealous, including Felix, Madueke and Nkunku. Any one of those options could operate in support of Jackson, with Sancho the least involved of the attacking starters in the first 45 minutes. Everton will be happy with the score at half-time and will see a point against Chelsea as a positive result, though they’ll know the match is there to be won should it remain 0-0. Beto has scored a couple late goals this season and could come in for Calvert-Lewin, while Patterson may provide fresh legs in defence on the wing.
Everton vs Chelsea
14:51A first half at Goodison Park dominated by the visitors comes to a close with nothing to split the two sides - at least on the score sheet - with Everton and Chelsea level at 0-0 after 45 minutes. Finishing the period with more than 75 per cent possession, Maresca’s side were in the ascendancy from the first minute, looking to build attacks through quick interchanges between Jackson and Palmer. The former had two gilt-edged chances to give his side the lead but failed to beat Pickford from four yards out ahead of the half-hour mark, before seeing his header clatter the post a half-dozen minutes later. Everton, for their part, failed to make the most of what little time they did have on the ball, but eventually managed to test Sanchez twice from outside the penalty area, for an expected goals of just 0.04 (compared to Chelsea’s 0.65).
Everton vs Chelsea
14:49HALF-TIME: EVERTON 0-0 CHELSEA
Everton vs Chelsea
14:47Yellow Card Jordan Lee Pickford
Everton vs Chelsea
14:47The fourth official indicates one minute will be added to the end of the half for stoppages.
Everton vs Chelsea
14:45Gusto puts a high, hanging cross to the edge of Everton’s 18-yard box but the only person in the area is Mykolenko, with the left-back taking no chances, volleying the danger clear at the first time of asking.
Everton vs Chelsea
14:43Palmer fires the free-kick from the right into the penalty area, looking to pick out Adarabioyo inside the six-yard box but Calvert-Lewin is back to do his defensive duties, putting in a convincing header despite the pace of the travelling ball.
Everton vs Chelsea
14:42Neto looks to get past both Ndiaye and Mykolenko on his way into the penalty area but he’s cynically tugged back by the former, who is shown a yellow card.
Everton vs Chelsea
14:42GOOD SAVE! Doucoure reaches the edge of Chelsea’s penalty area, laying the ball off to Mangala just before being cleared out by Adarabioyo’s tackle. Referee Chris Kavanagh allows play to continue - with Mangala taking the opportunity to hit a skipping shot to the far post, which is pushed aside by the outstretched arm of Sanchez!
Everton vs Chelsea
14:40After a neat interchange in midfield, Fernandez plays a first-time pass looking to split Everton’s centre-backs, but Branthwaite again reads the danger and steps forward to disrupt the connection.
Everton vs Chelsea
14:37Only once in the last five meetings between Chelsea and Everton have both teams found the back of the net, with each team claiming two wins and two clean sheets - one apiece either side of a 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge in March, 2023.
Everton vs Chelsea
14:36Palmer’s corner from the other side doesn’t create quite the same danger, with Harrison easily able to beat the delivery away at the near post.
Everton vs Chelsea
14:34OFF THE POST BEFORE PICKFORD THWARTS GUSTO! Fernandez’s inswinging corner-kick somehow manages to dribble through the crowd of bodies in the six-yard box for the unmarked Jackson at the back post. Two yards from goal, the striker sends his header directly into the post, before the ball bounces out to Gusto. The full-back looks to slip a finish past Pickford but the England international flies off his line and puts in a well-timed two-footed tackle, which takes it behind for another corner!
Everton vs Chelsea
14:32Fernandez plays a lovely pass forward with the outside of his boot for Jackson, with Pickford coming off his line to try and meet it. He’s beaten to the ball by the striker, whose eventual shot is pushed behind by the out-of-position goalkeeper.
Everton vs Chelsea
14:31Young’s free-kick is Everton’s lone effort as we approach the half-hour mark, with Dyche’s side producing an expected goals of just 0.04 so far - compared to Chelsea’s 0.33 on five efforts. Jackson could have and really should have opened the scoring with his chance moments ago, though the chances are likely to keep coming for the visitors.
Everton vs Chelsea
14:28UNBELIEVABLE SAVE! PICKFORD KEEPS IT LEVEL! Neto drives towards the penalty area before playing it forward invitingly for Palmer. Unselfishly, the England international squares a pass across the face of goal - through the legs of Tarkowski - for Jackson, whose first-time finish is kicked away by a falling Pickford! Gusto is there on the follow-up, but the ball doesn’t drop kindly, with the full-back heading his chance over the bar!
Everton vs Chelsea
14:26Only six teams have conceded fewer than Everton’s 21 goals allowed this season, with each of the current top four, as well as Tottenham and Manchester United bettering Dyche’s defensive organisation. It hasn’t been as promising at the other end however, with the Toffees scoring fewer times than anyone else in the division except for Southampton, who are nine points from safety.
Everton vs Chelsea
14:23Chelsea look to be using a specific pattern while in transition, with both Palmer and Jackson dropping into the centre-circle to receive passes out from the defence, before a first-time interchange sets one of the forwards away through the Everton defence. The pair have combined well today without creating too many chances, and they account for over 50 per cent of Chelsea’s total goals this season in the Premier League (20 out of 37).
Everton vs Chelsea
14:21One former Manchester United player takes down another, with Young late in his step on Sancho, catching the winger on his ankle, to give Chelsea a free-kick on the halfway line.
Everton vs Chelsea
14:19The elements hold off for the moment, allowing Young to step up and curl a right-footed shot up and over the wall, but Sanchez eases across his goal-line to make a straightforward catch.
Everton vs Chelsea
14:19Fernandez charges through the back of Ndiaye in a central position just under 30 yards from goal, giving Everton a set-piece in a threatening position - as long as they can deal with the wind.
Everton vs Chelsea
14:16Gueye lifts the ball over the top of the defence for an unmarked Doucoure, who is unable to find a team-mate with his cross from the left to the penalty spot, with Colwill beating Calvert-Lewin to the delivery.
Everton vs Chelsea
14:15Everton have not seen much of the ball in the opening quarter-hour, with Dyche’s side expectedly allowing their opponents the majority of the possession - instead preferring to hit on counter-attacks and set-pieces. Maresca’s team have had over 70 per cent in the opening stages, already forcing Pickford into a save, while the Toffees have struggled to threaten Chelsea’s half.
Everton vs Chelsea
14:13Neto cuts inside from the right, finding a pocket of space inside the penalty area, but his low, left-footed shot is easily stopped by Pickford.
Everton vs Chelsea
14:12Doucoure plays an incisive pass into the penalty area towards the byline for Calvert-Lewin, who manages to keep the ball in play before hitting a harmless chip to the near post for Sanchez to catch.
Everton vs Chelsea
14:09Ndiaye is pushed to the ground by a covering Neto, which gives Everton a chance to launch a free-kick into the penalty area from a position deep on the left wing. Harrison is looking to deliver the set-piece, but he’s forced to go short by the gusts of wind, with the forward holding on to the ball to keep it from moving before playing it across to Gueye.
Everton vs Chelsea
14:07Fernandez looks to dig out a first-time pass for Jackson after good work from Neto and Caicedo, but the Argentina international midfielder telegraphs his intentions - allowing Branthwaite to intercept.
Everton vs Chelsea
14:05Jackson receives a pass in the centre-circle with a clever backheel flick, playing Palmer through towards the Everton penalty area. With Pickford’s defence scrambling to get back, the Chelsea forward has a go at goal from 20 yards out, dragging his effort wide of the far post.
Everton vs Chelsea
14:02Everton get the match under way from the kick-off!
Everton vs Chelsea
13:50Chelsea make two alterations from the side that beat Brentford 2-1 six days ago. Marc Cucurella’s late red card sees Disasi fill the void in defence, while Neto is preferred to Madueke on the right wing.
Everton vs Chelsea
13:50Everton name an unchanged XI from the side that drew 0-0 with Arsenal on December 14. Pickford starts in goal behind a defence of Mykolenko, Branthwaite, Tarkowski and Young. Mangala and Doucoure play on either side of Gueye in midfield and in attack, Ndiaye and Harrison will look to support Calvert-Lewin.
Everton vs Chelsea
13:50CHELSEA SUBS: Noni Madueke,Filip Jorgensen, Joao Felix, Christopher Nkunku, Cesare Casadei, Tyrique George, Josh Acheampong, Marc Guiu, Renato Veiga.
Everton vs Chelsea
13:50CHELSEA XI (4-2-3-1): Robert Sanchez; Levi Colwill, Tosin Adarabioyo, Axel Disasi, Malo Gusto; Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo; Jadon Sancho, Cole Palmer, Pedro Neto; Nicolas Jackson.
Everton vs Chelsea
13:45EVERTON SUBS: Nathan Patterson, Michael Keane, Joao Virginia, Jake O’Brien, Youssef Chermiti, Seamus Coleman, Jesper Lindstrom, Harrison Armstrong.
Everton vs Chelsea
13:45EVERTON XI (4-3-3): Jordan Pickford; Vitalii Mykolenko, Jarrad Branthwaite, James Tarkowski, Ashley Young; Abdoulaye Doucoure, Idrissa Gueye, Orel Mangala; Iliman Ndiaye, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Jack Harrison.
Everton vs Chelsea
13:45With 15 minutes to go before kick-off, let’s take a look at how the two sides are lining up - starting with our hosts!
Everton vs Chelsea
13:34Chelsea haven’t lost in the Premier League since a tight 2-1 defeat to Liverpool on October 20, which is what separates the two sides at the top of the table. With the Reds kicking off later today, Enzo Maresca’s team have the chance to take temporary charge of top spot should they manage three points at Goodison Park - where they won 6-0 last season - which would extend their winning run to six matches.
Everton vs Chelsea
13:34Everton’s recent run of form - predicated primarily on their defence - has put three points between themselves and Ipswich Town in 18th place, with the Toffees once again looking to stave off relegation. Sean Dyche’s team have picked up six points out of the last 15 on offer, keeping an impressive four clean sheets in that time - losing only 4-0 to Manchester United on the first of this month - but face a tough upcoming run of fixtures that sees them play Chelsea, Manchester City, and Nottingham Forest all before the New Year.
Everton vs Chelsea
13:34Hello and welcome to our LIVE commentary of the Premier League fixture between Everton and Chelsea!
Everton vs Chelsea
12:00Follow all the goals and latest action from the Premier League here with The Independent. Team news and line-ups coming up shortly…
