Half-time: Chelsea 0 Everton 0

A sprightly Chelsea dominated large spells of the first half but lacked a killer instinct in front of goal.

Nemanja Matic was the first to have a pop, evading two snappy challenges before firing into the Shed End, while Willian’s curling effort dipped just over the crossbar.

But it was Everton who had the clearest chance of the opening 10 minutes with their first attack. Ross Barkley picked out Romelu Lukaku, whose drilled shot was blocked by the legs of the recalled Petr Cech.

Juan Cuadrado, on his home debut, looked lively in patches and flashed a shot across the face of goal, while Loic Remy – in ahead of Didier Drogba – produced a fine save from Everton keeper Tim Howard.

Howard also clung on well to Eden Hazard’s fierce low drive from the edge of the box as the hosts continued to press.

Kurt Zouma was also brought back into the Chelsea side and he enjoyed the better of an intriguing match-up with former Blues striker Lukaku.

Everton often got men forward in support of their counter-attacks but lacked the invention to cut through the Chelsea backline.

Chelsea: Cech; Ivanovic, Zouma, Terry, Azpilicueta; Ramires, Matic; Cuadrado, Willian, Hazard; Remy.
Subs: Courtois, Cahill, Ake, Filipe Luis, Fabregas, Loftus-Cheek, Drogba.

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