{"id":24474,"date":"2021-12-16T17:31:00","date_gmt":"2021-12-16T22:31:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=24474"},"modified":"2021-12-17T08:34:03","modified_gmt":"2021-12-17T13:34:03","slug":"everton-hold-chelsea-to-a-draw-at-stamford-bridge","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=24474","title":{"rendered":"Everton Hold Chelsea To A Draw At Stamford Bridge"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Mason Mount had given Thomas Tuchel\u2019s side the lead, but they had to settle for a 1-1 draw (PA Images)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Profligate Chelsea conceded vital ground in the Premier League title race by slipping to a substandard 1-1 draw with callow Everton at Stamford Bridge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Teenage defender Jarrad Branthwaite netted his first Everton goal to plunder a draw for the injury-hit Toffees, stunning a Chelsea outfit missing a clutch of senior players through Covid-19.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mason Mount thought his seventh top-flight goal of the campaign would be enough for Chelsea to mask a major glut of missed chances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reece James produced his sixth assist of an already-fine campaign, but no sooner had the Blues forged ahead than Branthwaite turned in Anthony Gordon\u2019s free-kick to silence Stamford Bridge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chelsea\u2019s fourth match in seven without a win in the Premier League left Thomas Tuchel\u2019s men trailing leaders Manchester by four points.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Blues had lost Romelu Lukaku, Timo Werner and Callum Hudson-Odoi to positive Covid tests in the build-up to Thursday\u2019s west London clash.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ben Chilwell had also returned a positive test but was already out with knee trouble, while Mateo Kovacic should complete his isolation after Covid on Friday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kai Havertz missed out due to illness, but was still awaiting the results of tests to determine whether his issue would turn out to be coronavirus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rafa Benitez\u2019s sorry Everton arrived with just one win in 10 Premier League encounters and were besieged throughout a torrid encounter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And yet the Toffees still came away with a highly creditable point, whatever their fortune.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chelsea were left to lament a match full of wretched finishing, and a definite misstep in the Premier League title race.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chelsea could easily have been 6-0 ahead by half-time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The irrepressible James somehow side footed wide when played through by Jorginho, before Mount dragged just across goal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hakim Ziyech left the outclassed Mason Holgate for dead on the spin, then James forced Jordan Pickford into a full-stretch save from a fine free-kick.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

James then thundered a snapshot just over the bar after Marcos Alonso\u2019s free-kick rebounded off the wall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ziyech shot wildly high and wide on the left flank, then Mount failed to connect properly with Alonso\u2019s cross to gift Pickford an easy save.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco forward Ziyech scuffed wide from the edge of the area, and then Mount saw a low effort rebuffed by Pickford\u2019s boot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pickford tipped round the post from Mount to open the second half, before Ruben Loftus-Cheek flicked over the bar from Alonso\u2019s corner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cesar Azpilicueta hooked high over the bar after Everton failed to clear James\u2019 whipped cross from a free-kick.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Antonio Rudiger had his head in his hands after nodding wide from another teasing James free-kick.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the hour-mark passed and Chelsea gawped in frustration at their litany of botched chances the hosts knew only calmness and renewed focus would break the deadlock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just when the night started to become niggly though, Chelsea broke at pace and James sent Mount in on the right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The England star beat the defense with his run before slotting past Pickford, to cut the Stamford Bridge tension and hand the Blues a majorly belated lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Blues\u2019 relief quickly turned into rancor, however, as Branthwaite poked home Gordon\u2019s whipped free-kick.<\/p>\n

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