After a late equalizer from Ellis Simms, Chelsea and Everton were forced to play out a 2-2 draw in the Premier League on Saturday night. Sean Dyche’s Toffees ended the blues three match winning streak as CFC remain in 10th position. The team that defeated Leicester last week underwent three changes under Graham Potter. Reece James and Benoit Badiashile were reinstated to the starting lineup, and Christian Pulisic received his first start following recovery from an injury early this year. N’Golo Kante was named in the squad for the first time since his injury in August. Mykhailo Mudryk, Marc Cucurella, and Ruben Loftus-Cheek were all moved to the bench.
Everton, who were largely underwhelming, managed to snag a point from a losing position despite the fact that Graham Potter’s men appeared to be in cruise control for the majority of the evening. Before an Abdoulaye Doucoure header set back the hosts in minute 69, loanee Joao Felix stroked home via the woodwork from the edge of the box in minute 52. The deadlock didn’t last long since Havertz scored coolly and accurately from 12 yards just a few minutes later, which seemed to be the final blow to the Merseyside’s miserable season. Yet to their credit, the Merseysiders successfully carried out Dyche’s strategy, making the match largely ‘boring,’ and Ellis Simms scored in the 90th minute to earn a point. A result that was crucial, and much needed for the Toffees.
3 talking points from Chelsea 2-2 Everton
Not the final product
Stamford Bridge had a distinct atmosphere tonight. Encouraged by the recent string of victories, the crowd was lively before, during, and after the game. Graham Potter’s confidence turnaround has had a significant role in the atmosphere in west London. The blues were coming into this fixture with great optimism, and with good reasons.
CFC finally had some wins under their belt, include coming back from behind against Borussia Dortmund in the round of 16 of the Champions League. We must not forget why we’re in the situation we’re in currently, we’re still mid-table. Even myself am a victim of becoming ‘too optimistic’ due to the little winning streak they had going. With the final international break of the season now among us, the gaffer must reorganize his drawing board and be ready for the season finale.
The return of N’golo Kanté
Despite not playing a single minute, having the Champions League, and World Cup winner in the squad one way or another is always positive news. The Frenchman suffered a long lasting muscle problem stretching from August, 2022 under former Chelsea gaffer, Thomas Tuchel’s tenure. It is important to have him back to full fitness to salvage a European spot, and quite possibly a magical Champions League run. The 31-year-old, whose current contract expires in June of this summer, is close to agreeing to a new one that would keep him at the capital for another three years. Yet, given his ongoing fitness concerns, the midfielder will want to show everyone that he can return to his best.
One last push to play in Europe next season
The Blues moved up one spot into 10th place in the standings, moving from 11th with 37 points and with the top six in their sights. There is a good potential that CFC will secure a berth in the Conference or Europa league if they can maintain their unbeaten ways over the next 11 league games. The west Londoners has been paired with Real Madrid for the third straight year in its quest to win the Champions League.
Potterwants to give it his all against the holders, and defeat the Spanish powerhouses and go to the semi-finals with a strong confidence going into the match. If the blues do go all the way to the final and bring home our third Champions league in 11 years, league position won’t matter because we will be automatically qualified for the next season edition of the UCL. This task may prove too much for team CFC because the winner between them and the current UCL holders, the winner faces against the winner between the current English, and German champions respectively. This is football and miracles are possible.