Chelsea remain third and are 13 points behind leaders Manchester City, who play Bournemouth later on Saturday. Initially, it looked like being an encouraging day for Conte as Chelsea quickly established a pattern of complete dominance. It took an impressive double goal-line clearance by veteran defender Phil Jagielka to deny the visitors what would have been a deserved lead.FT! Everton 0-0 Chelsea. Analysis on Sky Sports Premier League or follow here: https://t.co/foUQlLLQYU pic.twitter.com/sgsWnQbMqT
— Sky Sports PL (@SkySportsPL) December 23, 2017
The Everton captain read the situation perfectly as Marcos Alonso's cross flew through the home area after 10 minutes, reacting sharply to block Tiemoue Bakayoko's effort. Jagielka then responded even more impressively as Willian looked certain to convert the rebound, the defender positioning himself to keep out the follow-up effort in similar fashion. Yet for all their superiority in those opening stages, Chelsea struggled to carve out many meaningful chances to trouble home keeper Jordan Pickford.Chelsea had 25 goal attempts, with 11 players having a shot. Jordan Pickford made saves from 6 different players Everton draw their 1st home PL game of 2017, ending the year with a home PL record of P20 W15 D1 L4 pic.twitter.com/dxr3QgAVVx
— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) December 23, 2017
After 20 minutes, Cuco Martina was booked for a blatant foul on Victor Moses on the edge of the Everton area but Willian sent his free-kick sailing well over. And while the passing and movement of Willian, Pedro and Eden Hazard was pleasing on the eye and threatening at times, Everton stuck to their defensive duties well. It was easy to see the impact Allardyce has made since his arrival at Goodison Park although Everton were not helped by the pre-match loss of in-form Wayne Rooney due to illness. In the absence of the 10-goal forward, Everton's attacking play was likely to be hindered and so it proved, with Chelsea keeper Thibaut Courtois a virtual spectator.REPORT: Everton extended their unbeaten Premier League run to six matches with a hard-earned 0-0 draw against Chelsea https://t.co/qa3cXFNWSG pic.twitter.com/leM3Qnc8cl
— Sky Sports PL (@SkySportsPL) December 23, 2017
A promising counter-attack, just after the half-hour, ended with Morgan Schneiderlin sending away Tom Davies but his strike from 25 yards was always drifting away from goal. And before the interval, Dominic Calvert-Lewin showed great persistence to strip Andreas Christiansen of the ball and advance into the area where his shot was blocked by Antonio Rudiger. But Chelsea responded in kind when Bakayoko broke up an Everton attack on the halfway line before playing Pedro clear for a powerful shot which drew a spectacular one-handed save from Pickford. Allardyce made a major reshuffle at the interval, bringing on Sandro and Ashley Williams as he switched to three central defenders, a move that proved something of a gamble when he lost Idrissa Gueye to injury within five minutes of the restart and was forced to use his final substitute.Everton 0-0 Chelsea FT: Shots: 5-24 Crosses: 13-49 Possession: 32%-68% Fouls: 8-4 Stalemate at Goodison Park as Sam Allardyce picks up another clean sheet for Everton. pic.twitter.com/9npO3EIpaL
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) December 23, 2017
By then, Chelsea had already threatened Pickford's goal, with the keeper saving well from Pedro's drive before Williams did well to block Alonso's effort. There was some anxiety for the visitors when Hazard was hacked down and required lengthy treatment, with Michael Keane booked for the foul. But the Belgian quickly shook off the effects of the injury and was soon forcing Pickford into another fine diving save after receiving a pass from Willian. Williams got his head to Victor Moses' fierce 75th minute cross, deflecting it onto the Everton bar before it flew out of harm's way. There was also a late chance for substitute Cesc Fabregas when Jagielka stuck out a foot and deflected his powerful, long-range shot just wide.? | Big Sam's reaction to this afternoon's battling draw against Chelsea... #EFCmatchday pic.twitter.com/IepkvWs5i0
— Everton (@Everton) December 23, 2017
Full-time: Everton 0-0 Chelsea It ends all square... #EVECHE pic.twitter.com/jDhtq6u4dP
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) December 23, 2017