Romelu Lukaku scored twice in the final 13 minutes to help Everton secure a 2-0 win over former club Chelsea in the FA Cup quarter-finals this evening.
The powerful Belgian forward proved the difference in the final third of the tie, following what had been an extremely cagey contest up until that point.
Diego Costa was sent off for the first time in his Chelsea career late on for a coming-together with Gareth Barry, who was also shown a second yellow soon after as things threatened to boil over.
In the end it was the Toffees who came out on top, meaning a place at Wembley in the final four of the competition next month and a respite of sorts for boss Roberto Martinez.
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What turned out to be a tepid first half to the contest actually began in a positive manner, as Tom Cleverley fired away the first shot on goal just 40 seconds in.
That would ultimately prove to be the Toffees' only on-target shot of the half, though, with the hosts largely focused on keeping things patient in terms of their build-up play.
Just a couple of minutes after that rare strike, Kenedy was picked out in a good position up the other end of the field but could only blast the ball over the bar from eight yards out.
Joel Robles did have one save to make prior to the interval, producing a solid stop to push over Willian's free kick which was won when Phil Jagielka brought down Cesc Fabregas with a wild swing at the ball.
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It may have been a cagey opening 45 minutes, yet the last time these two sides met it also remained goalless at the interval prior to six goals being scored in the second half.
That never truly looked like happening on this occasion, however, with the second period beginning in a similar fashion in front of a packed - and expectant - Goodison Park crowd.
Home supporters did have something to get excited about when Ramiro Funes Mori jumped highest to head a Lennon corner, which ended on the roof of the Chelsea net.
Chelsea were still struggling to truly move out of first gear, though Fabregas did provide some intelligent attacking play when sliding in Costa just short of the hour mark.
The Spaniard, who has scored or assisted 17 goals in his last 16 games now, rounded Robles but could only shoot across the face of goal from a tight angle.
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Both teams enjoyed the odd spell in possession, the best of which culminated in Everton midfielder Ross Barkley smashing the ball into the side-netting from close range.
Martinez's men finally made a breakthrough 13 minutes from time after an otherwise quiet Lukaku used his body strength to take the ball beyond two opposition players and bury it into the bottom corner.
Chelsea's defenders were left stranded as they watched the former Blues striker weave through to score the breakthrough goal of the tie, and it was to get even better for the Belgian as he evaded the offside trap five minutes later to tuck home a second.
The drama was merely just beginning, though, as Costa was shown a red card for a confrontation with Barry - in which he appeared to bite his opponent - before Barry was himself shown a second yellow soon after.
Referee Michael Oliver blew for full time moments later to spark scenes of joy around Goodison Park, as Everton won at this stage of the competition for the first time in three attempts.
Daniel Lewis
