Everton 0 – 1 Chelsea

After the cracking first leg this promised to be a real barn-stormer of a match.

The game began as intense as you’d expect with both sides looking set for a battle. The pace of the game led to some chances early on, Wright-Philip’s with a shot blocked by Jagielka followed by Belletti’s curling effort that wasn’t far away. Everton too had a good chance when Lescott was unmarked form a corner only for his header to be saved on the line by Cech on 9mins.

The early end-to-end action was followed by a solid period of pressure from the home side but Chelsea were about their business and limited the space to play brilliantly. Everton’s passing and movement was sharp and crisp as they really looked to get the upperhand but all they had to show for their efforts was Johnson’s shot form distance that never troubled Cech.

Having stifled their hosts sufficiently Chelsea began to come out more and were dominating possession themselves on the half hour with both Anelka and Malouda having chances.

The home side made another push again in an exciting end to the half. Johnson again with their only real chance whose shot was deflected wide. The Everton players left the field looking thoroughly frustrated.

It might have been expected for the Merseysiders to come out fired up for the second half but it was Chelsea who looked to have the bit between their teeth. With the half only seconds old Anelka saw his shot form the edge of the area hit the bar. Everton tried to get forward but Chelsea were holding on to the ball extremely well and wee very much on top.

It took two chances from set-pieces just before the hour to stir the Toffees back in to life. Neville fired the ball across the goal mouth, following a clever short corner, but none of the men in blue managed to connect. A minute later a free-kick came to Jagielka who’s flicked shot was blocked on the line.

Everton were on the front foot and were sure they had a goal, on 66mins, when Cech spilled a ball from a free kick but the whistle went for an inexplicable free out as Lescott was about to tap the ball home!

A goal did come but it was for the visitors and it was against the run of play. On 68mins, Malouda played a ball over the Everton defence which Joe Cole latched on and clinically dispatched.

This knocked the home side and crowd for six and despite throwing on extra attackers they never really got at a tight Chelsea defence.The high balls began raining in but they were easily dealt with.

It was Chelsea who looked the more likely to get a goal as they were continually breaking as Everton pushed everyone up late on with Lescott being used as an auxiliary centre forward! Pizarro had two good chances at the death but failed to convert either.

A brave performance by Everton but the gap between the top clubs and the rest was again highlighted in this match as Chelsea were thoroughly professional in defence and oozed class going forward.