League leaders Chelsea twice let a one-goal lead slip as Everton claimed a deserved point at Stamford Bridge.
Everton took a fortuitous lead when a goal-bound effort struck the post and deflected in off keeper Petr Cech.
Neat finishes from Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka turned the tables in Chelsea’s favour before substitute Yakubu levelled from close range.
Drogba volleyed the home side ahead again but Louis Saha’s deflected header rewarded the visitors for their effort.
Chelsea have now gone four games without a win and whilst this can not be considered a major blip, it will add credence to those tempering their early season assertion that the Blues were destined for Premier League glory.
Whilst Carlo Ancelotti’s side showed plenty of attacking edge, they also demonstrated a fallibility in defence that could, unless addressed, seriously undermine their title challenge.
All three of Everton’s goals were preventable, and it will be of particular concern to Ancelotti that two of them resulted from set pieces; something of an Achilles heel for the Blues.
Whilst Chelsea’s failings will dominate the post-match assessment, Everton’s role in the match should not be ignored.
One Comment
Set pieces what happened