Everton are now two points clear of the drop zone after their draw with Chelsea
Ellis Simms scored his first Everton goal to earn Sean Dyche's side a precious point as they came from behind twice to draw against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Everton's improved resilience under Dyche was on show again and 22-year-old local product Simms was the hero with a superb late equaliser to wreck Chelsea's hopes of a fourth straight win.
Chelsea broke down Everton's resistance seven minutes after the break when the excellent Joao Felix drilled home a low drive, but they were pegged back when Abdoulaye Doucoure scrambled home an equaliser from a corner after 69 minutes.
Everton were only on level terms for seven minutes until Kai Havertz scored from the spot after Reece James was fouled by James Tarkowski - but there was to be a late twist in the tale.
Dyche had put Simms on to rescue a point and he delivered in style with a powerful run and finish a minute from time.
- Reaction to Chelsea's draw with EvertonHow did you rate Chelsea's performance? Have your say hereWhat did you make of Everton's display? Send us your views here
Everton's show of strength
Everton's fans celebrated this point like a victory and their elation was justified as they had witnessed the character and fighting spirit Dyche has been injecting into his side.
They kept Chelsea at arm's length until the second half then reacted superbly to going behind twice, especially when they gathered themselves again when all looked lost after Havertz's penalty.
Everton were strong in defence throughout, prepared to throw bodies on the line, and showed their threat from set pieces once again when Doucoure headed in at the far post from a corner.
The high point, however, was the manner in which youngster Simms - back at Everton after a loan spell at Sunderland - outmuscled Kalidou Koulibaly and raced on to beat Chelsea keeper Kepa with a cool finish.
Everton survived a couple of late scares but deserved to do so after a performance that will give them real hope of winning their fight to avoid the drop out of the Premier League.
- Go straight to our Everton page
Careless Chelsea squander victory chance
Chelsea will be hugely frustrated at the manner in which they allowed Everton to come back twice and take a point away from Stamford Bridge.
Graham Potter's side had control of the game by leading twice but on each occasion Everton fought their way back into contention.
Felix brought class to proceedings and fully merited his goal, but he was substituted late on as Potter adopted a more conservative approach which ultimately failed to secure the desired result.
Chelsea have shown improvement in recent weeks but this was an opportunity missed and stopped their revival in its tracks.
Potter is still navigating his way around adapting to the vast influx of players after Chelsea's transfer spending spree, but this was a bitter disappointment after the recent upturn.
- All the best Chelsea news and views in one place
Player of the match
SimmsEllis Simms
with an average of 8.14
- ChelseaChelseaChelseaEvertonEvertonEverton
ChelseaAvgSquad number11Player nameJoão FélixAverage rating
6.80
Squad number21Player nameChilwellAverage rating
6.36
Squad number33Player nameFofanaAverage rating
6.13
Squad number24Player nameJamesAverage rating
6.03
Squad number8Player nameKovacicAverage rating
6.03
Squad number5Player nameFernándezAverage rating
6.02
Squad number29Player nameHavertzAverage rating
5.92
Squad number4Player nameBadiashileAverage rating
5.52
Squad number10Player namePulisicAverage rating
5.49
Squad number1Player nameArrizabalagaAverage rating
5.15
Squad number26Player nameKoulibalyAverage rating
5.11
Squad number23Player nameGallagherAverage rating
4.73
Squad number12Player nameLoftus-CheekAverage rating
4.42
Squad number30Player nameChukwuemekaAverage rating
4.35
Squad number14Player nameChalobahAverage rating
4.12
EvertonAvgSquad number50Player nameSimmsAverage rating
8.14
Squad number11Player nameGrayAverage rating
7.17
Squad number16Player nameDoucouréAverage rating
7.15
Squad number7Player nameMcNeilAverage rating
6.84
Squad number19Player nameMykolenkoAverage rating
6.75
Squad number8Player nameOnanaAverage rating
6.74
Squad number2Player nameTarkowskiAverage rating
6.67
Squad number17Player nameIwobiAverage rating
6.65
Squad number23Player nameColemanAverage rating
6.65
Squad number22Player nameGodfreyAverage rating
6.62
Squad number5Player nameKeaneAverage rating
6.51
Squad number1Player namePickfordAverage rating
6.50
Squad number27Player nameGueyeAverage rating
6.48
- Line-upsMatch StatsLive Text
Line-upsChelsea
Formation 3-4-3
1Arrizabalaga33Fofana26Koulibaly4Badiashile24James5Fernández8Kovacic21Chilwell10Pulisic29Havertz11João Félix
- 1Arrizabalaga33FofanaSubstituted forChalobahat 87'minutes26KoulibalyBooked at 57mins4Badiashile24JamesBooked at 74mins5Fernández8KovacicSubstituted forLoftus-Cheekat 81'minutes21Chilwell10PulisicSubstituted forGallagherat 62'minutes29Havertz11João FélixSubstituted forChukwuemekaat 86'minutes
Substitutes
- 7Kanté12Loftus-Cheek13Bettinelli14Chalobah15Mudryk23Gallagher30Chukwuemeka31Madueke32Cucurella
Everton
Formation 4-5-1
1Pickford23Coleman5Keane2Tarkowski22Godfrey17Iwobi16Doucouré27Gueye8Onana7McNeil11Gray
- 1Pickford23ColemanSubstituted forMykolenkoat 84'minutes5Keane2Tarkowski22Godfrey17Iwobi16Doucouré27GueyeBooked at 29minsSubstituted forSimmsat 79'minutes8Onana7McNeilBooked at 45mins11Gray
Substitutes
- 4Holgate13Mina15Begovic19Mykolenko20Maupay26Davies30Coady37Garner50Simms
Referee:Darren EnglandAttendance:40,025Match StatsHome TeamChelseaAway TeamEvertonPossessionHome69%Away31%ShotsHome20Away12Shots on TargetHome7Away3CornersHome8Away2FoulsHome8Away12Live Text Post update
Match ends, Chelsea 2, Everton 2.
90'+6'Full Time
Second Half ends, Chelsea 2, Everton 2.
90'+5'Post update
Corner, Chelsea. Conceded by James Tarkowski.
90'+5'Post update
Attempt blocked. Benoît Badiashile (Chelsea) header from very close range is blocked. Assisted by Ben Chilwell with a cross.
90'+5'Post update
Corner, Chelsea. Conceded by Ben Godfrey.
90'+5'Post update
Attempt blocked. Kai Havertz (Chelsea) with an attempt from very close range is blocked. Assisted by Reece James with a cross.
90'+4'Post update
Reece James (Chelsea) wins a free kick on the right wing.
90'+4'Post update
Foul by Dwight McNeil (Everton).
90'+2'Post update
Corner, Chelsea. Conceded by Dwight McNeil.
89'goalGoal!
Goal! Chelsea 2, Everton 2. Ellis Simms (Everton) right footed shot from the left side of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Abdoulaye Doucouré.
88'Post update
Ben Chilwell (Chelsea) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
88'Post update
Foul by Demarai Gray (Everton).
87'Substitution
Substitution, Chelsea. Trevoh Chalobah replaces Wesley Fofana.
86'Substitution
Substitution, Chelsea. Carney Chukwuemeka replaces João Félix.
85'Post update
Attempt blocked. Ellis Simms (Everton) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
84'Substitution
Substitution, Everton. Vitalii Mykolenko replaces Séamus Coleman.
82'Post update
Attempt missed. Dwight McNeil (Everton) left footed shot from the left side of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Abdoulaye Doucouré.
81'Substitution
Substitution, Chelsea. Ruben Loftus-Cheek replaces Mateo Kovacic.
79'Post update
Reece James (Chelsea) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
79'Post update
Foul by Amadou Onana (Everton).
Page 1 of 6rewindpreviousNavigate to the next pagenextNavigate to the last pageforward
- Our coverage of your Premier League club is bigger and better than ever before - here's everything you need to know to make sure you never miss a moment
Source: bbc.com