Frank Lampard put speculation regarding his future behind him by scoring both goals as Chelsea recovered from an early setback to win 2-1 at Everton this afternoon.
It took hosting Everton just one minute and three seconds to break the deadlock on Merseyside. Phil Jagielka picked out an unmarked Victor Anichebe with a deep cross from the right, only for the Nigerian striker to send his headed effort against the post. Thankfully for the hosts, an advancing Steven Pienaar was on hand to dispatch the rebound from 10 yards out.
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The Toffees continued to dominate the opening exchanges, but they failed to add to their tally as Nikica Jelavic sent a free kick from the edge of the area curling into the upright with eight minutes played, before Petr Cech got down low to turn away a drilled shot from Leon Osman.
It took visiting Chelsea a while to register a shot on target, but when they did with 28 minutes played, Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard was on hand to deny first Ramires and then Juan Mata.
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Both teams then took turns to attack, as Chelsea duo Eden Hazard and Ashley Cole failed to make contact with a low cross from Cesar Azpilicueta, while up the other end Cech threw himself to his left to turn Jelavic's effort around the post.
Just when it looked as though Everton were going to hold out heading into the break, Lampard claimed his first of the afternoon. Ramires was the creator, lifting in a cross from the right of the penalty area and the Chelsea captain duly headed the ball down into the ground and past Howard.
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Goalscoring chances did not arrive as frequently after the restart, with both sets of defenders seemingly getting to grips with their opposing attacker.
Chelsea created the first with 67 minutes gone, but Howard was equal to Torres's powerful effort from 20 yards.
Then, just one minute later Everton went close to taking the lead again on two occasions. First Osman saw his shot from the edge of the area pushed clear by Ross Turnbull, who had replaced the injured Cech, before Jelavic struck the woodwork for a second time when he headed Leighton Baines's cross against the bar.
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It proved to be costly misses for David Moyes's team, who conceded what proved to be the winning goal in the 70th minute. Mata's volley from close range was saved by Howard, but Lampard managed to rearrange his feet in time to send the rebound into the net from six yards out.
Everton pushed forward in search of an equaliser in the closing stages, but they were unable to breach Turnbull's net as the travelling Blues held out for all three points.
The win has moved Chelsea to within four points of Manchester City in second place.
Liam Apicella
