Chelsea – Everton

1. <i>ESPNsoccernet</i> and Declan Warrington (@decwarrington) will bring you live commentary of this game at Stamford Bridge from 1715 BST. Kick-off is at 1730 BST, while team news will appear here as soon as it reaches us.

2. <b>Chelsea team:</b> Cech; Bosingwa, Ivanovic, Terry, Cole; Ramires, Mikel, Lampard; Sturridge, Drogba, Mata

3. <b>Everton team:</b> Howard; Hibbert, Jagielka, Distin, Baines; Osman, Rodwell, Fellaini, Coleman, Cahill; Saha

4. Strong team selection from both managers. Moyes - who occasionally decides against picking an orthodox striker - starts with Saha. Presumably his intention is for Everton to defend any lead they may get.

5. Chelsea, meanwhile, are set up with a lot of width and, with Mata, Sturridge and Drogba up front will look to stretch Everton's defence wherever possible.

6. Another opportunity for the masterful Mata to show what a capable player he is, while Lampard can continue to prove he has plenty left to offer.

7. Rodwell could be a key player, this evening. Everyone knows there's a position going as England's holding midfielder - so a good season could bring him into the international side - and, given Everton will inevitably be under a lot of pressure, his role in front of the back four could be crucial.

8. Villas-Boas, pre-game, calls for "focus and concentration". He also says United should "be happy" with their draw away to Liverpool.

9. Kevin Keegan and Craig Burley both predict an Everton victory.

10. Difficult to argue with Chelsea's status as favourites. So I won't. But, if Everton are to score, they need to take advantage of the selection of Bosingwa and Mikel - both fail to provide great cover for the defence.

11. The two teams are in the tunnel, and walking out...

12. Kick-off just minutes away, then...

13. Despite losing Arteta and cutting the budget, Everton - and David Moyes - can threaten the league's big clubs. If Chelsea and Villas-Boas are to be taken seriously as title challengers - and I strongly suspect they should be - this is the sort of game they have to win.

14. Stat: Rodwell makes his 100th Everton appearance.

15. 1'

    And Chelsea kick-off...

16. 1'

    Chelsea instantly look to go forward, with Ramires and Sturridge leading an early attack that fizzles out.

17. 1'

    Fellaini in possession in midfield, passes to Osman who is tackled by Bosingwa.

18. 1'

    Rodwell now on the ball, Everton comfortably keeping possession...

19. 2'

    Distin plays a long ball looking for Osman but it's headed clear.

20. 3'

    Fellaini passes to Saha but the ball runs clear before Ivanovic is fouled. Chelsea free-kick.

21. 3'

    Long ball from Chelsea defence out for an Everton throw-in.

22. 4'

    Terry and Ivanovic exchanging possession...

23. 5'

    Chelsea gradually probing on the edge of the penalty box until they concede possession...

24. 5'

    Lampard running with the ball and appears to be looking for Mata whenever he gets the chance.

25. 5'

    Ramires almost put through on goal but Distin wins the ball! No foul.

26. 6'

    Osman cross finds Tim Cahill who harmlessly heads wide.

27. 6'

    Cahill great in the air, but he wasn't in a dangerous position.

28. 7'

    Chelsea free-kick played short...

29. 7'

    Chelsea have been playing some good football of late, so it'll be interesting to see what difference Torres's absence and Drogba's presence makes. Both require different service.

30. 8'

    Chelsea again have the ball in defence. Taking a patient approach, so far.

31. 8'

    Cole tackles Coleman for an Everton corner. Jagielka comes forward...

32. 9'

    Baines to take...

33. 9'

    Comfortably dealt with by Chelsea until Lampard clears...

34. 10'

    Cole and Sturridge link up well until Cole's through ball is overhit and out for a goal kick.

35. 10'

    Howard with a short goal-kick to Jagielka.

36. 11'

    Mata - strangely - deep in midfield and building play from in front of the back two.

37. 11'

    Shot from Saha after a through ball from Osman. Good effort, but comfortably saved by Cech.

38. 11'

    A sign of things to come? Fellaini in possession and quickly surrounded by the Lampard-Mikel-Ramires triumvirate. Everton could be limited to the counter if Chelsea have their way.

39. 13'

    Lampard spreading the play wide from midfield...

40. 14'

    Tim Cahill pressing the Chelsea defence with such energy. What a signing for Moyes, key to Everton's chances.

41. 15'

    Mata adopting an interesting position so far. Not restricted to the left, he's coming inside and being the playmaker from the centre and goes wide as soon as Lampard advances.

42. 16'

    Chelsea looking well drilled under Villas-Boas.

43. 17'

    Free-kick to Chelsea after a foul by Fellaini. Taken short, Mikel in possession...

44. 17'

    Mikel intercepts play and instantly looks to give the ball to Mata. Drogba also inclined to come wide.

45. 17'

    Chelsea - as a whole - look a far more flexible unit, nowadays.

46. 18'

    Jagielka defending superbly from Drogba. The striker has a great reputation for bullying defenders but Jagielka physically stands up to him and wins the goal-kick for Everton.

47. 18'

    Mikel plays Mata in but Baines now defends well. Goal-kick to Everton.

48. 19'

    Jagielka sens the ball long and finds Coleman. Cole defends superbly though and dispels any danger. Bosingwa now in possession on the right...

49. 20'

    Bosingwa with a tame effort that goes wide. Never threatens, Howard unconcerned.

50. 21'

    Jagielka looks to hit it long to Saha but Chelsea intercept and Cech now has the ball...

51. 22'

    Baines plays in Fellaini who can't get his shot away dye to good defending from Mikel. Corner to Everton.

52. 22'

    Baines to take...

53. 22'

    Danger cleared. Mata - with a superb piece of skill inside his own penalty area - passes to Cech who clears.

54. 23'

    Ramires fires high and wide. A poor effort - struggled to get the ball out from under his feet.

55. 24'

    Jagielka again getting the better of Drogba after a cross from Cole. Good defending - an underrated player.

56. 24'

    How many Arsenal fans watching this would rather have Jagielka than Mertesacker?

57. 25'

    Cech, Terry and Ivanovic currently keeping possession around the Chelsea penalty box. The patient approach remains...

58. 25'

    Howard catches an average cross from Bosingwa.

59. 26'

    Everton looking to find Saha but he's looking isolated, thus far.

60. 26'

    Lampard cross - looking for Drogba - headed clear by Jagielka.

61. 27'

    Drogba chips Ramires in but Fellaini tackles the Brazilian. A good challenge. Corner to Chelsea.

62. 28'

    Corner wasted, and Cole cross comfortably collected by Howard. Cross wasn't going anywhere.

63. 28'

    Stat: Drogba has touched the ball 12 times so far.

64. 29'

    Mata and Drogba linking up well on the edge of the Everton area but the final ball is missing. Better from Chelsea.

65. 30'

    A quiet game so far at the 30 minute mark. Little of note. Chelsea happy to be patient and slowly create any chances, and Everton happy to sit back and allow Chelsea to have possession as long as it isn't threatening.

66. 31'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Sturrudge scores!

67. 31'

    1-0 to Chelsea. A superb pass from Mata puts Ashley Cole in who crosses for Sturridge to head in. Good goal.

68. 31'

    An Everton goal would have been better to make the game more entertaining. It'll be interesting to see if Everton are content to limit any damage or intend on scoring an equaliser.

69. 32'

    Sturridge in an early claim to replace Rooney at Euro 2012?

70. 34'

    Jagielka Everton's best player by some distance, so far. Mata in behind Hibbert and threatening, but Jagielka puts Mata off balance to allow Howard to collect.

71. 35'

    Coleman does the hard put, gets beyond Ashley Cole, and then wastes the ball by passing straight to Mata. Chelsea in possession in midfield.

72. 36'

    Chelsea again happy to continue spreading the ball and let Everton do the chasing. A very continental approach from them, so far.

73. 36'

    Building up the play, passing the ball under no pressure and looking to take advantage of any holes that open up.

74. 36'

    Not necessarily the most entertaining approach but, regardless, it's effective.

75. 36'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Cole booked. Obvious foul on Hibbert, free-kick to Everton.

76. 38'

    Baines curls the free-kick in but it's floated very high towards Cech who catches it under little pressure.

77. 39'

    Baines caught offside. Chelsea free-kick.

78. 40'

    Chelsea in some ways resembling how they did when Scolari was manager. Mikel drops back alongside the two centre backs, while Bosingwa and Cole push forward. Almost a 3-4-3, at times.

79. 41'

    Foul by Osman on Sturridge. Silly - Everton were in possession on the edge of the box. Chelsea free-kick.

80. 42'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Baines booked. Can't complain - obvious foul.

81. 42'

    Mata, Drogba and Lampard linking up nicely to provide Bosingwa with a crossing opportunity. Decent cross, but caught by Howard.

82. 43'

    Stat: Everton have had 5 offsides, Chelsea have had 0.

83. 44'

    Sturridge caught in possession after trying to find some shooting space. Everton free-kick after a Ramires foul on Cahill.

84. 45'

    Ball sent long, Ivanovic clears for a throw. Baines again to take.

85. 45'

    Saha tries to find some shooting space in the penalty box, but losing the ball before Baines sends it out for a goal kick.

86. 45'

    Michael Essien spotted in the crowd. Wearing sunglasses on his shirt, too. Why does he need them? More importantly, will he ever play for Chelsea again?

87. 45'

    1 minute of extra-time to be played.

88. 45'

    Free-kick to Chelsea on edge of Everton box. Lampard to take.

89. 45'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> 2-0!

90. 45'

    Lampard curls the free-kick in towards Terry who heads the ball down and past Howard, who managed to get an inneffective hand to it.

91. 45'

    Chelsea with a comfortable lead, now. Doesn't bode well for the second half.

92. 45'

    Half-time.

93. Chelsea, who have scored with their only two decent chances, have been playing very slowly and patiently indeed. The second half is likely to see more of the same. Chelsea won't want to invite Everton to threaten and, with a two-goal lead, are likely to keep possession and gradually secure the three points.

94. Any thoughts on the game? Send them to @ESPNsoccernet or @decwarrington.

95. Kevin Keegan at half-time..."How many players can pick out a pass like Mata?". Keegan knows a thing or two about a good attacking player (it's anything behind the final third he struggles with)...

96. Replays of Terry's headed goal show Howard to have been very poor at that point. A good 'keeper, and has been a great signing for Everton, but he was well out of position there and to blame for the goal.

97. So what can Everton do to change the game? Bring on a second striker? Velios has looked useful. Or introduce some more pace? Drenthe can be very dangerous, he seems wasted on the bench. Crucially, I expect Moyes to try and limit the damage as opposed to get back into it.

98. Second-half kicks off.

99. 46'

    Close for Osman! Curling effort beats Cech but hits the post and runs out.

100. 47'

     And Chelsea have now restarted the second half in the same way they ended the first - content to steadily spread the ball and keep possession.

101. 47'

     Throw in to Everton. Baines to take.

102. 47'

     Everton win a free-kick in their own half. Again, Baines to take.

103. 48'

     Looks for Fellaini but possession is lost to Lampard, who tries to play in Drogba before the whistle blows for offside.

104. 48'

     Chelsea passing the ball around nicely - some one-touch football being played between Mata, Lampard and Drogba.

105. 49'

     Meireles - on the bench - could be one to extend that, but it's unlikely Villas-Boas will remove Mikel and Ramires from the midfield at this point.

106. 51'

     Bosingwa sends a cross into the box from the right but it's headed clear by Distin.

107. 51'

     Throw-in short and Bosingwa sends in a tame cross that's headed clear by Jagielka.

108. 52'

     Bosingwa pass intercepted by Distin, Chelsea in possession again back in defence.

109. 52'

     Such a boring game. At times it's reminiscent of Man Utd vs Blackburn last season after Utd had equalised and were content to just keep the ball and secure a draw.

110. 53'

     Turning into one of those games where Chelsea look like they've an extra man. Crying out for an ambitious individual who wants to make an impact. Perhaps a sub?

111. 55'

     Stat: Chelsea have completed 365 passes to Everton's 135 (tells the tale, but doesn't tell the nature of those passes).

112. 56'

     The crucial question is this: will Abramovich be getting itchy feet? He wanted entertaining football.

113. 57'

     Osman with a long range effort, fires over the bar. Decent effort but not a serious threat.

114. 59'

     Saha running with purpose towards the Chelsea goal but lacks support. Has to pass the ball wide to Baines before the attack fizzles out...

115. 59'

     Drenthe getting changed to come on... A game changer? I suspect the game's already over but he could inject some pace into Everton's play.

116. 60'

     Sturridge offside. Free-kick to Everton.

117. 61'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Drenthe replaces Coleman.

118. 62'

     Coleman's not had a bad game except for being at fault for Chelsea's opener. Plenty of effort but difficult against the world's best left-back - Cole - and often without the support he'd need.

119. 62'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> 3-0! Ramires scores!

120. 62'

     Good play from Mata who, after being played into the Evertom box by Drogba, cuts the ball back across goal and leaves a simple tap in for Ramires. 3-0.

121. 62'

     Moyes looking helpless and it's difficult to sympathise. Can't blame him for trying to limit the damage. An outstanding, smart manager who knows his team's limitations - better than coming for the win and losing by several more.

122. 63'

     Ramires down injured so Sturridge kicks the ball out so he can get some treatment.

123. 64'

     Ramires looks set to come off, Malouda getting warmed up.

124. 65'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Ramires off (on his 50th Chelsea appearance), Malouda on.

125. 66'

     Somewhat of a surprise for Villas-Boas to bring Malouda on. Had Romeu and Meireles on the bench and both are more natural central midfielders than Malouda. Unless he's changing the team around?

126. 66'

     Of course, would be silly and uncharacteristic of him to do so with Chelsea in full control.

127. 67'

     Lampard looks to put Drogba into space with a ball over Everton's defence but Jagielka reads it and heads back to Howard. Fellaini in possession.

128. 68'

     Everton also content to keep the ball, as long as there's no danger from Chelsea. A sensible - if boring - approach. Although it's not difficult to envisage more goals from Chelsea.

129. 68'

     Everton also content to keep the ball, as long as there's no danger from Chelsea. A sensible - if boring - approach. Although it's not difficult to envisage more goals from Chelsea.

130. 68'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Sturridge booked after a dive.

131. 75'

     You've missed little - perhaps unsurprisingly - beyound a Sturridge booking for a dive.

132. 77'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Mata and Mikel off for Romeu and Anelka

133. 77'

     Mata has been superb today. Mikel tidy, too - has done his job of breaking up Everton attacks. Will be interesting to see Romeu again, of course - he could well have a long future as Chelsea' holding midfielder.

134. 78'

     Malouda likely to take the role Mata had, with Romeu a direct replacement for Mikel. Perhaps there now won't be another goal.

135. 79'

     Sensible from AVB. Defend the lead - don't invite on any late pressure by conceding a reckless goal.

136. 79'

     Osman again fires wide with a curling effort. No threat, but he should be commended for taking some responsibility and repeatedly trying. One of Everton's most effective players, this evening.

137. 80'

     Howard rolls the ball out to Hibbert but, due to Chelsea's pressing, it's difficult to get out of their own half.

138. 81'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> 3-1! The comeback's on? Or not.

139. 81'

     Fellaini wins the header, Drenthe collects and plays a square ball across the penalty area for Velios to collect with his first touch of the game. Had literally only just come on.

140. 81'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Neville and Velios on. Saha and Cahill off.

141. 83'

     Velios had only been on the pitch for 18 seconds before scoring. Quite the impact.

142. 83'

     Any thoughts on the game? Send them to @ESPNsoccernet or @decwarrington via Twitter.

143. 85'

     Chelsea clearly don't want to give Everton an opportunity to score a second so could well be even more conservative, now. They won't want a frantic finish to the game.

144. 85'

     Sturridge with some good play until the final touch lost possession. Impressive today for the young striker.

145. 86'

     Anelka fouls Baines. Free-kick to Everton.

146. 86'

     Drogba overhits a cross, collected by Howard.

147. 87'

     Chelsea currently looking Manchester United's biggest title rivals. Will be interesting to see if Torres comes back in or if Drogba's dropped. Would personally like to see Torres come straight in for Drogba.

148. 88'

     Otherwise, Sturridge is likely to be dropped and owuld be unfair given his form and the fact that that would mean either Torres or Drogba being out of position.

149. 89'

     Ivanovic, Terry and Cech exchanging passes regularly. Likely to be a familiar sight until the game's end.

150. 90'

     Anelka crosses towards Drogba who chests the ball down but can't get the shot away. Could have been four, if he had.

151. 90'

     Game enters extra-time. 4 more to be played.

152. 90'

     Not quite sure where those came from, but still...

153. 90'

     A similar move again. Anelka crosses to Drogba who chests the ball, lays back to Lampard who then shoots first time. Saved by Howard, but nice effort and nice move.

154. 90'

     Romeu defending well from Fellaini. Quite the presence, that young Spaniard...

155. 90'

     Bosingwa now clears for an Everton throw-in.

156. 90'

     Drenthe with another cross - a good one, too - but caught by Cech. Good, authoritative goalkeeping.

157. 90'

     Full-time: 3-1 to Chelsea.

158. Will be no complaints from Everton at the result. The win ends the sequence of five consecutive draws in this fixture. A good win for Chelsea as they look to challenge for the top spot, but not a huge disappointment for Everton who will have to make sure their ambitions are kept in check.

159. The biggest loser? David Moyes. Deserves more than to have to resort to damage limitation. It'd be a huge loss for Everton for he's by far their biggest asset, but he deserves a bigger budget which looks unlikely at Everton. Anywhere in the top half is a good season for Moyes.

160. Send your thoughts and comments to @ESPNsoccernet and @decwarrington.

161. Chelsea up to third and three points off of first-placed Manchester City. Everton are now 13th but just two points off of 9th-placed QPR, over whom they have a game in hand.

162. Post-game comments: Sturridge admits he's in his finest Chelsea form and says Chelsea played a "good team game". Says Chelsea were under orders from AVB to play as much one-touch football as possible...

163. Mata. meanwhile, admits he has settled down so quickly because of his debut girl, which gave him confidence. Sturridge praises Mata's contribution. Mata - deservedly - named man of the match.

164. Keegan describes Mata as the "Juan" of the moment. Not funny, Kevin...

165. That's it for the evening. Thanks for joining, everyone.

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