Everton 1-0 Chelsea: The one where Frank Lampard celebrated against Chelsea

Rudiger's shot hits Pickford in the face

There doesn't feel like there was a point this season that Chelsea haven't been sat comfortably in the third place, neatly tucked behind Man City and Liverpool as they slug it out. But in recent weeks, it's all decidedly got uncomfortable with Tuchel's side getting sucked into the vortex that is the fourth place race.

While the club neatly navigated the fixtures coming thick and fast as sanctions and uncertainty hit, it all appears to be catching up with the players now. While not all doom and gloom obviously - Chelsea are still three points above fourth placed Arsenal, and five points from fifth placed Tottenham, with a vastly superior goal difference to either of their North London rivals. But the nerves are now on red alert. 

A draw to one of the worst teams in the league at Old Trafford followed by a defeat to a team sat in the relegation zone as certainly raised tensions on and off the pitch. While Chelsea dominated on Thursday and were horrifically unlucky not to come away with all three points, the same cannot be said for Sunday's flat performance. Possession stats aside - it never felt like they'd be leaving Goodison Park with anything aside from bruised egos and memories of Frank Lampard celebrating.

Of course there are a number of mitigating factors that played into the lacklustre display. Chelsea played Thursday night while Everton had a week to prepare. The fireworks going off all night outside the hotel did no one any favours - if the players are even half as miserable as I am without sleep. And of course the need. Everton are playing for their lives right now with Burnley somehow turning their own season around. While things may have got a bit complacent with our Champions League place previously feeling secure. 

In the opening 45 minutes, Chelsea boasted seventy-four per cent of the possession. However, they created just one chance and failed to have a single shot on target. Tempers flared early and often. There were 14 fouls committed and 5 yellow cards dished out. Everton were out to unsettle Chelsea and stop them playing their game. It worked. 

The second half started with an almighty error from Cesar Azpilicueta who gifted Everton their goal. Uncharacteristic from the captain. But these individual errors have been creeping in. A sloppy penalty against Arsenal, most of Real Madrid's goals. All just a bit sloppy, but mostly good performances. 

Chelsea did their best to immediately respond to Richarlison's lucky strike, but thanks to the heroics of Gianluigi  Jordan Pickford they were denied. And denied. And denied again. Thankfully, the team have a week off to let their bodies and minds recover. Wolves up next - who have nothing really to play for and have been shocking as of late. Chelsea's stars have a chance to send a message that they won't be letting go of their Champions League place without a fight.

jenny x

RESULT: Everton 1-0 Chelsea

GOALS: Richarlison 46'

CHELSEA XI:  Mendy, Azpilicueta (Pulisic 68), Thiago Silva, Rudiger, James, Loftus-Cheek, Jorginho (Kovacic 46), Alonso, Mount, Havertz, Werner (Ziyech 68)

STAR MAN: Jordan Pickford