EVERTON 0-0 CHELSEA 

Pretty much as predicted, Chelsea finished last night behind Liverpool having failed to capitalise yet again.

Everton started of bright enough for a side with such woeful form at home although once Chelsea got themselves organised, we looked pretty comfortable. And just when I’d remarked on how much better our football is away from home, John Terry got a little enthusiastic in Everton’s half and as soon as his boot connected with Osman’s shin he saw his second red card of the season. Well actually, that’s exaggerating a little because Phil Dowd had trouble remembering where he’d put the card and for all his officious decision-making, he just ended up looking a pillock as he scrabbled about in his pockets.

So ten-men and an uphill battle it was then for the remaining 55 minutes. Mikel stepped back a few paces to fill the gap for the remaining ten minutes of the first half and we went into the break a man down but otherwise all square.

Second half saw Ivanovic replace Joe Cole so that Mikel could return to another solid performance in his usual role. Drogba, who really should be starting games alongside Anelka now, came on to replace the Frenchman at the start of the second half although given his contribution, he really needn’t have put himself by coming off the bench.

If I’m honest, I’m not altogether sure how we came out of this game with a point although undoubtedly Petr Cech played a big part in that. And if I thought the officiating was a little too enthusiastic at times in the first half, I was bloody glad of it six minutes from time when the ball was in the back of the net, alongside Cech, Pienaar and Ballack and whilst Everton were busy celebrating, the linesman was busy ruling it out for offside.

So, another bloody frustrating game from our point of view and one of those where we could potentially be handing the title to United on a plate. For me, we did far too much whingeing and whining instead of accepting the situation and getting on with doing something about it. Ok, we were short of a player, but Everton have been playing 4-6-0 for I don’t know how long and I didn’t see much bitching from them. Whilst I don’t want to have a go at them for being pissed off – god knows I certainly was – but they lost their focus and gained unnecessary cards and with Phil Dowd, it was just pointless.

On the plus side though, for all their bitching, I can honestly say it was pretty good to see that amount of fight in this Chelsea side. It was like they were finally pushed into having to go back to doing what they know. Maybe they felt wronged, I’ve no idea, but whatever it was, it was enough to see the sort of display Mourinho himself would’ve appreciated.

And actually, it was probably more a point gained than two lost in the end.

Everton: T Howard — A Hibbert, J Yobo ( L Baines, 61min), P Jagielka, J Lescott — P Neville, M Arteta — L Osman, M Fellaini, S Pienaar — T Cahill. Substitutes not used: C Nash, J Rodwell, D Gosling, J P Kissock, A van der Meyde, L Jutkiewicz.

Chelsea: P Cech — J Bosingwa, Alex, J Terry, A Cole — Mikel — J Cole (Ivanovic, 46), M Ballack, F Lampard, Deco (Bridge, 87) — N Anelka (D Drogba, 46). Substitutes not used: C Cudicini, J Belletti, F Malouda, S Kalou. Booked: Lampard, A Cole, Ballack. Sent off: Terry.

Filed under: Match report, Rants