Nicolas Jackson scored his first Premier League goal in over four months to keep Chelsea firmly in pursuit of UEFA Champions League qualification. The Blues squeezed past Everton 1-0 at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea leap to fifth position
With the hard-win, Enzo Maresca’s side—beginning the weekend sixth in the Premier League—rose to fifth. Although it was not a commanding performance, the three points add more stress on their top-four competitors as the season nears its end.
Jackson drought breaks
The Senegalese, matchwinner, had suffered a trying scarce run. He went 12 league matches without scoring after getting nine league goals by mid-December.
Surprisingly, the Senegal international rose brilliantly. Enzo Fernandez zipped a pass into Jackson’s feet following Trevoh Chalobah’s 27th-minute dis-possesion of Beto. The 23-year-old spun fast after he found the Toffees’ center-backs off-guard and from 25 yards struck a sharp shot into the bottom-left corner, scoring his first Premier League goal outside the box.
Solid but not outstanding from the Blues
Without reaching top speed, Maresca’s men dominated the first half and displayed signs of attacking intent, particularly through Pedro Neto. The squad seemed well-organized and in charge even though suspended manager was missing on the touchline.
After 45 minutes of play, the Merseyside outfit recorded their first effort after a missed header by Abdoulaye Doucoure.
Sanchez the Hero Late
Though the London giants battled to end the match in the second half, goalkeeper Robert Sanchez almost preserved it last minute. Though shot-stopper’s outstanding reflex save kept the crucial three points, Dwight McNeil’s short-range shot appeared headed for the net— a stop arguably worth two points in the battle for Champions League places.
The Stamford Bridge side still face a tough route to a top-five result. In what looks like a stressed end to the 2024-25 season, they still have important games against Liverpool, Newcastle United, Manchester United, and Nottingham Forest.
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