Last updated on April 26, 2025
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Chelsea remains firmly in Champions League race.
Image credit: Chelsea FC
Chelsea returned to the Premier League’s top four with a narrow but vital 1-0 win over Everton at Stamford Bridge.
Nicolas Jackson scored the decisive goal midway through the first half, drilling a sharp 20-yard finish past Jordan Pickford after a quick turnover in midfield.
The goal ended a lengthy dry spell for Jackson, who had not found the net since December.
The victory moves Enzo Maresca’s side level on points with Nottingham Forest and one point ahead of Newcastle United, who play later on Saturday.
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With Forest and Aston Villa tied up in FA Cup semi-final duties, Chelsea are guaranteed to remain inside the top five until at least Thursday.
Although Chelsea were the better team for much of the contest, they failed to extend their lead, creating some anxious moments late on.
Everton grew stronger in the final quarter, but goalkeeper Robert Sánchez came to Chelsea’s rescue with two crucial saves — first tipping away Beto’s powerful strike, and later reacting sharply to deny Dwight McNeil from close range.
Chelsea’s run-in remains daunting.
They next face league leaders Liverpool, then travel to Newcastle before hosting Manchester United and finishing the season at Forest.
Still, securing three points here keeps them firmly in the Champions League chase.
Maresca, serving a touchline ban and watching from the stands, saw his team display plenty of intensity off the ball.
The winning goal stemmed from Trevor Chalobah’s pressing, as he dispossessed Beto to set up a quick counter led by Enzo Fernández, who teed up Jackson for the breakthrough.
It wasn’t a dominant attacking display — Cole Palmer’s run without a goal now stretches to 17 matches — but Chelsea’s energy and Sánchez’s heroics ensured a valuable win.
Everton’s familiar frustrations
For Everton, it was another frustrating afternoon at Stamford Bridge — a venue where they haven’t won in the league since 1994.
Abdoulaye Doucouré’s misdirected header just before half-time summed up a toothless first 45 minutes for the visitors, who didn’t manage a shot on target until Beto’s attempt in the 63rd minute.
Though they finished stronger, pushing Chelsea deep in the final stages, they couldn’t find an equaliser.
It marks the 15th time this season that Everton have failed to score.
Under manager David Moyes, they collected 13 points in his first six games back in charge, but momentum has slowed significantly, with only eight points gathered from the nine matches since.
Everton remain 13th in the table as their season peters out, while Chelsea’s hopes of Champions League football stay alive — just.
