EVERTON EASED PRESSURE on Marco Silva and dented Chelsea’s top-four hopes with a morale-boosting 2-0 win at Goodison Park on Sunday.
Richarlison punished Chelsea’s profligacy just after half-time and Gylfi Sigurdsson converted the rebound from his own saved penalty to secure only the Toffees’ second victory in nine Premier League games at home.
Marco Silva’s men, who dramatically lost 3-2 at Newcastle United last time out, were thoroughly outplayed in the first half, but an improved performance from Jordan Pickford helped keep the visitors at bay.
Defeat for Chelsea, their first since the EFL Cup final, leaves them three points adrift of fourth-placed Arsenal with eight games remaining.
Panic permeated Everton’s defence in the opening exchanges as their opponents twice went close in quick succession.
Eden Hazard first drove a deflected shot into the base of the upright, before Gonzalo Higuain’s scuffed finish from Jorginho’s inventive pass allowed Michael Keane to hack the ball clear.
Pickford had earlier denied Hazard at his near post and, after Pedro dragged marginally wide, will have welcomed half-time.
However, Everton emerged from the interval transformed and Richarlison nodded them ahead in the 49th minute when Kepa Arrizabalaga parried Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s header straight to the Brazil forward.
Marcos Alonso hit the side-netting with a good chance to respond and compounded that miss by tripping Richarlison in the box at the other end.
Sigurdsson stepped up 18 minutes from time and, after seeing Kepa save his initial attempt, pounced on the rebound to complete Everton’s first win in this fixture in seven attempts.
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When will this blatant poor refereeing end.
@Barry Kelleher: never. Ref mistakes are part and parcel of the game. Even VAR won’t eliminate mistakes
@IrishSportives.ie: Things that are up to interpretation will probably never be fully corrected but both of these decisions would have been overturned.
@IrishSportives.ie: Decision wasn’t even a close one as he was clearly off
@Barry Kelleher: where was Var?
Every game for about three months now Man City have gotten decisions in their favour. Bad ones too, going right back to Kompany cleaning out Salah as the last man but getting a yellow… Offsides, penalties. It’s remarkable.
@James Doyle: poor James
@David Weston: you get me wrong, man. I’m delighted City have another game in April.
Just pointing out the reality of this incredible lucky streak they’re on with refs, and keeping in mind the old maxim “it all evens out over a season”.
There’s some evening out to be had, in that case. And that will be fun.
Offside winner and the penalty was never a foul. VAR can’t come soon enough.
The more games they play the better for Liverpool
@Willy Motley: go on….
Was a great tackle to win the ball for pen. How could they not see change in flight. Var should be in every stadium
@Yorkie1892: it is in Swanseas stadium but can’t be used as there not in the top division of the game was at the eitihad car would have been used
@Colm Connolly: Ridiculous though, they had VAR there last season but they went down a division so the FA won’t have it implemented there.
It’s a shame such a prestigious cup is rigged
It was a valiant effort overshadowed by poor refereeing. Bercant Celina has been electric all season. Come you Jacks.
@Succulent Goujons: and Danny James tearing Otamendi and Laporte new ones. Shame they aren’t that motivated more often!
Selective VAR introduction making a mockery of the FA Cup yet again..