Unlucky Chelsea suffer defeat at Everton

Everton 1 Chelsea 0

Steven Naismith’s goal on the stroke of half-time condemned Chelsea to their first league defeat since Jose Mourinho’s return.

The Blues can consider themselves unfortunate, having created a number of chances and dominated large spells of the game only to lose out to a well organised Everton side.

Samuel Eto’o showed plenty of promise on his Chelsea debut, not least in the opening stages when he had two decent chances.

He headed over from Ramires’ cross and was then denied by a brilliant clearance from Gareth Barry following a mix-up in the home defence.

Eto’o then created a chance for Ramires, whose effort was saved by keeper Tim Howard, before Andre Schurrle missed a golden chance for the visitors by blazing horribly over.

When Eto’o combined nicely with Eden Hazard to set up Juan Mata, who shot wide, Chelsea seemed to be in control.

But they conceded a goal against the run of play, Naismith nodding home on the line after Leon Osman’s ball into the box had been headed back by Everton striker Nikica Jelavic.

Chelsea made a thunderous start to the second half, with Schurrle and Eto’o both going close to equalising.

They appealed in vain for a penalty after Oscar went down in the area, before Ramires hit the side netting as Mourinho’s side continued to attack.

But Everton managed to hold on and twice came close to grabbing a second goal late on.

Keeper Petr Cech clawed away Kevin Mirallas’ shot before being well beaten by Leighton Baines’ injury-time free-kick, which hit the bar.

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Cech, Ivanovic, Luiz, Terry, Cole (Torres 70), Ramires, Mikel, Schurrle (Lampard 57), Hazard, Mata (Oscar 57), Eto’o.
Subs not used: Essien, De Bruyne, Schwarzer, Cahill.

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