Key events
Peeeeep! The whistle blasts out and Chelsea, in their royal blue, kick off with Everton in pink.
Not long now. They’re lining up in the tunnel. Chelsea start this game out of the top half of the table. They’re 11th. A reminder that an Everton win would take them 12th. Can we call this a six pointer? Does that pass the threshold?
Everton have won just once away from home this season. Chelsea are unbeaten in their last 27 home games in the league against the Toffees (W 15 D12) since they lost 1-0 in November 1994.
Stats are for the birds but that’s quite something.
Graham Potter speaks before the game:
We’ve been a little more positive, more aggressive in our approach. A little but of luck as well. Pleasing for the boys. We;’ve had a tough time and stuck at it.
Wins help [with the mood]. Performances weren’t as bad as the results we were getting. We need to keep going. There is confidence and belief there.
Did you catch this strange plot twist? Chelsea could buy another football club! Weird, right? Ed Aarons & Romain Molina reveal all:
A recap of the other Premier League games on today:
That’s a big point for Southampton who snatched it at the death with a 93rd minute Ward-Prowse penalty. More misery for Spurs.
The Saints are just a point behind Bournemouth now but still bottom of the log. Leicester are in trouble as Leeds climb all the way to 14th.
As for our game, a point at least would seriously help Everton who are now down to 17th, though a win could lift them to 12th.
Wolves v Leeds has descended into anarchy. It’s 4-2 to Leeds after a 97th minute goal for Rodrigo and two red cards for Wolves.
Follow along here:
For those of you counting, Ben Chilwell reaches his half century for Chelsea today.
Something has definitely shifted at Chelsea. Potter was caught on camera swearing, like a real person, as he bantzed with some fans at an event. But was does this really mean? Barney Ronay gets to the bottom of this:
Not sure if you’ve seen this, and also not sure if you feel like welling up, but if the answer to those questions are ‘no’ and ‘yes’, take a quick peep.
He’s copped a lot of heat since he settled in the hot seat at Chelsea, and he’s even received death threats after some poor performances, but Graham Potter seems to have found a rhythm now.
Karen Carney says that this once stuttering Chelsea side is starting to play to their manager’s beat.
Everton unchanged
Sean Dyche has clearly seen something he likes and starts the same team that beat Brentford.
Everton: Pickford; Tarkowski, Keane, Godfrey, Coleman (c); McNeil, Onana, Doucoure, Iwobi, Guyeye; Gray
Replacements: Begovic, Holgate, Mina, Coady, Mykolenko, Davies, Garner, Maupay, Simms.
Pulicic given chance to shine
The American magician starts as Potter goes in search of a fourth straight win. N’Golo Kante returns and will start on the bench.
Chelsea: Kepa; Badiashile, Koulibaly, Fofana; Fernandez, Kovacic (c), Chilwell, James; Pulicic, Joao Felix, Havertz
Replacements: Bettinelli, Chalobah, Cucurella, Chukwuekmea, Gallagher, Kante, Loftus-Cheek, Madueke, Murdryk
Preamble
Good afternoon folks and welcome to this MBM of a game between two teams who have felt the blues for various reasons this season. Everton have produced a load of ol’ dross and find themselves just one point above the relegation zone. Depending how other results go they could end the weekend bottom of the log.
Chelsea haven’t exactly lit the place up either but three wins on the bounce for Graham Potter, as well as progression to the Champions League quarterfinals, has the manager in a chipper mood.
Three points won’t see them catapult up the table (though they will nudge ahead of Fulham in ninth who are occupied with the FA Cup). Still, league tables are less important right now than vibes and those have been good at Stamford Bridge of late.
My name is Daniel. Thanks for joining me. Do drop a line if you fancy.
Kick off at 17:30. Teams and other bits to come.