Chelsea are being held to a goalless draw with Everton at half time at Stamford Bridge.
In a game of few real chances, Chelsea have probed with intent through the likes of Willian, Eden Hazard and Oscar, but Roberto Martinez's side have been in miserly mood in defence.
Steven Naismith replaced Lacina Traore minutes before kickoff with the Ivorian suffering a hamstring problem, and that has affected Everton's gameplan as the Socttish forward has been unable to make a real mark against John Terry and Gary Cahill.
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Samuel Eto'o had Chelsea's best chance on 36 minutes when he exchanged passes with Hazard inside the area before firing a low effort in at Tim Howard's legs.
Terry rose highest from a Chelsea corner five minutes before the break but the former England captain could only nod wide of Howard's left-hand post.
Everton went up the gears with a counter-attack towards the end of the half as James McCarthy got it back from Naismith after feeding his teammate wide left.
However, the Irishman was charged down on the edge of the box in a promising position, before Kevin Mirallas scuffed an effort in a similar area moments later.
Paul Gorst
