MX23RW : Friday, January 31 09:10:15| >> :60:2169:2169:
Everton logo
Premier League
Dec 30, 2012 at 1.30pm UK
 
Chelsea logo

1-2

Pienaar (2')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Lampard (42', 72')

Match Analysis: Everton 1-2 Chelsea

Match Analysis: Everton 1-2 Chelsea
© PA Photos
Sports Mole picks the bones out of Chelsea's Frank Lampard-inspired victory at Everton.

Frank Lampard's brace ended Everton's 13-game unbeaten home run this afternoon.

The Chelsea number eight scored either side of half time to cancel out Steven Pienaar's strike after just 63 seconds at Goodison Park.

Three points for Rafael Benitez's side takes them above Spurs to third place in the Premier League and here, Sports Mole pores over a fitting 90 minutes for the penultimate Premier League match of 2012.

Match statistics:

Everton:
Shots 12
On target 6
Possession 53%
Corners 7
Fouls 14

Chelsea:
Shots 15
On target 10
Possession 47%
Corners 7
Fouls 12

Was the result fair?

Everton will be devastated not to have taken anything from the game, and understandably so. David Moyes's side started brilliantly and were ahead instantly. They dominated the opening 20 minutes but after that the game was much more even. The hosts hit the woodwork in the buildup for the opening goal and the fact they went on to hit it twice more through Nikica Jelavic will aggrieve them even more.

Everton's performance

A blistering start from the home side but they couldn't quite keep up the intensity throughout. It was still an impressive showing as the likes of Eden Hazard, Juan Mata and Fernando Torres were kept quiet for the majority. With some sharper finishing up front, the result could have been very different.

Chelsea's performance

An awfully sluggish start that was capped by the marking, or lack of it, from Hazard and Ashley Cole that led to the first goal. The visitors were lucky to just be one behind when Lampard found the net for the first time but they plugged away and stole the three points thanks to the goalscoring exploits of Mr Lampard.

Sports Mole's man of the match

Frank Lampard: Who else? There has been plenty of speculation of late that Chelsea want to see the back of Lampard but he showed just why he's so important by putting in a match-winning performance. The travelling Blues adore their number eight and if he is forced out it won't go down well in West London.

Biggest gaffe

This goes to Nikica Jelavic for his shocking miss at the death. It looked as if Chelsea were sure to be leaving Goodison with three points but then the Croatian was presented with a golden chance. Leighton Baines swung it in from the left and it managed to reach Jelavic but he swung wildly at it with his left, managing to kick only at thin air.

Referee performance

Howard Webb put in a bullish performance this afternoon. His no-nonsense approach is pleasant to see and at one point he even got right up in the grill of a whinging Branislav Ivanovic.

What next?

Everton: The Toffees will look to reignite their push for the top four when they visit Newcastle on Wednesday.

Chelsea: A visit from rock-bottom West London neighbours QPR is next up for Chelsea.

ID:61683: cacheID:61683:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:5351:
Written by
Pascal Lemesre
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Frank Lampard celebrates scoring his second goal against Everton on December 30, 2012
Read Next:
Lampard brace seals Chelsea win
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool22165154213353
2Arsenal23138244212347
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2313553327644
4Manchester CityMan City23125647301741
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle23125641271441
6Chelsea23117545301540
7Bournemouth23117541261540
8Aston Villa2310763435-137
9Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2381053531434
10Fulham238963431333
11Brentford2394104240231
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd2385102832-429
13Crystal Palace236982630-427
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham2376102844-1627
15Tottenham HotspurSpurs2373134637924
16Everton225891928-923
17Leicester CityLeicester2345142549-2417
18Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2344153252-2016
19Ipswich TownIpswich2337132147-2616
20Southampton2313191653-376


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!