Chelsea v Everton LIVE- team news, updates and reaction

Thanks for following along as Chelsea claim a crucial win over Everton in the battle for the Champions League places

“We have said many times that we don’t have any doubt with the ones who for part of the season have struggled, like Nico, like Cole, like Robert, and in the moment you have to support them even more. Nico finally found the goal today and hopefully Cole can start finding the goal again soon.”

“When he is fit, he is one of the best (midfielders) because he can defend very well, he can attack, and he breaks the lines unbelievable.”

An absolutely huge win for Chelsea. Two on the bounce now in the league, and with Liverpool, Newcastle, Manchester United and Nottingham Forest yet to come it was absolutely essential.

It wasn’t always easy, but at times the football was the best that has been seen at Stamford Bridge for some months.

Jackson and Palmer off for George and Dewsbury Hall

If Chelsea go on to win this they can thank Sanchez for his contribution. This time it’s a brilliant tip past the post from an acrobatic McNeil effort

Jackson thinks he’s almost secured the win for Chelsea but he’s just offside. Cucurella attempted a shot from outside the box, Pickford pushed it straight to Jackson, but he was offside

Seems slightly strange to take off the most threatening player.

Sancho on for Madueke

A mazy run from Madueke took him past three players and into the box, before a good effort brought a strong save from Pickford. Madueke has been the standout man today

Chelsea really need a second here because Everton are starting to push forward a bit more and are seeing more success.

James on for Lavia

Sanchez with what might be one of the most important saves of Chelsea’s season. Beto absolutely rifled it across goal from the edge of the box, and Sanchez somehow got a hand to it

The Blues have been pressing for a second and are getting closer. Everton have not threatened in the game so far, and are still struggling to get forward

The Englishman is up for it today, and starts the second half in similar vein to the first, attempting to poke in from a corner a few yards out. Well collected by Pickford

Half-time at Stamford Bridge and the fans are very happy with what they are seeing. This is Chelsea’s best performance in a considerable amount of time. They’ll be hoping for more of the same in the second half and hopefully a couple more goals to widen the lead

Pedro Neto has just gone on a Bale v Barca-esque run down the right wing, breezing past several Everton players, but unfortunately for him this run didn’t end in a goal

Play has been paused after Mykolenko and Sanchez collided in a nasty incident in the box. Let’s hope both players are ok

They have the first, and they want another. Noni Madueke is looking particularly dangerous on the left, and Maresca will be pleased with what he can see from his position just next to the press box.

Chelsea have the breakthrough, and what a goal it was. Chalobah stepped out of defence to rob Everton of the ball in midfield, gave it to Fernandez, who played a quick and incisive pass into Jackson. The Senegalese forward hit it quick and caught out Pickford.

Just what Chelsea needed.

Over 20 minutes played and there’s not been much of note. Both sides are settling into the game and not taking many risks as of yet

Madueke with the first decent effort of the game. He was on the edge of the box and urged by the fans to shoot, which he duly did, but Pickford got down well to save.

The ball went back to Sanchez from a Chelsea corner, but he picked out Fernandez, who touched it off to Cucurella, who played a lovely ball out to Neto. The Portuguese put in a decent cross but no one was on the end of it.

Maresca has called time and time again for the fans to stay with the players, and they have certainly started the game with that in mind. Every positive action is being applauded and met with loud cheers