John Terry scored on his 350th league appearance for Chelsea against Everton on Saturday, doubling an earlier Sturridge effort in the first half and preceding a Ramires goal in the second, which saw Chelsea beat Everton at home for the first time since 2006.

With the international break coming straight after a 5-1 victory over Bolton, there was a concern that the teams rhythm may have been upset. This was true in parts for spells of the match, and was to be expected, however three good goals were scored, but yet another sloppy one got in at the other end.

The opening half an hour wasn’t the most exciting if truth be told, with chances few and far between as Everton looked to sit back and hit on the break, a now familiar tactic seen played against us with our high defensive line. That said, there were some nice passages of play by Chelsea, especially from the wide areas, and a couple of shaky moments at the back with Cole making a few early errors.

The first goal came in the 30th minute after a nice passage of play, Mata found some space in the mid field and dinked a ball into the path of the onrushing Cole, who then lofted the ball across the the face of goal for Sturridge to put a diving header beyond the reach of Tim Howard, to mark his third in two games.

The second came on the stroke of half time after a free kick was given wide of the Everton box late on, and Chelsea duly took advantage. Lampard put the ball into the box, and at the far post John Terry bundled a header home.

The second half kicked off with no changes and it was Everton who started brightly, almost pulling a goal back through Leon Osman who saw an effort go wide via the upright.

Chelsea’s third goal came by the way of some excellent counter-attacking football. The irrepressible Mata found Didier Drogba in the centre-circle, who turned and powered at the Everton defence before laying the ball back out to Mata on the left hand side. The Spanish International placed the ball low and hard across the six yard box as Ramires slid in and finished the move to make it 3-0.

The celebrations were short for Ramires however, as he had to go off with what appeared to be a twisted knee, and he had to go off to be replaced by Florent Malouda, and shortly after Romeu and Anelka came on to close out the game in place of Mikel and Mata.

Alas it was to be another match without a clean sheet though, as slack defending allowed an equaliser; Royston Drenthe got into space on the Everton left and put in low cross with his first touch, straight into the path of the onrushing substitute, Apostolos Vellios, who scored with his first touch. A fourth goal nearly arrived late on after another nice passage if play, but Lampard’s volley was straight at Howard.

The referee blew the whistle after four minutes of injury time to maintain Chelsea’s 100% home record and keep the pressure on the Manchester clubs and make it eight goals scored, and two conceded in the past two games.

After the match Villas-Boas said of the performance; “It was a good win for us, it is never easy coming back after an international break but it was important to get three points, particularly on a day when two title contenders played against each other. Eventually Man United got an important point at Anfield but at least it allows us to get closer to second position at the moment. A point at Anfield is something that any manager takes. It still gives us the opportunity to get closer to them but of course we still need to go to Anfield.”

“We have not done anything special. We just have to continue to win until we find a position of comfort at the top of the league. We need three points at Queens Park Rangers which is going to be difficult and see what happens in the game between Manchester United and Manchester City.”

Chelsea (4-3-3): Cech; Bosingwa, Ivanovic, Terry (c), Cole; Ramires (Malouda 64), Mikel (Romeu 76), Lampard; Sturridge, Torres, Mata (Anelka 76).
Unused subs Turnbull, Alex, Meireles, Lukaku.

Goals Sturridge 30, Terry 45+1, Ramires 61.

An occasional series of open discussions with opposition fans. They can say what they like about Chelsea and I promise not to be rude back to them.

Number 3:  Toffee Time

Why Everton?

As a Scouser, what’s the choice? Tranmere? I used to go to watch them play sometimes, but when you’re a kid you want a bit more razzamatazz don’t you? You want to see the big names play. I still go to Tranmere sometimes now, I went last season and enjoyed it. There’s a nice atmosphere down Prenton Road way.

What about Liverpool?

There’s no need to swear!  Anyway, what about Liverpool?

Okay, when did you start supporting Everton?

I was 8 when I knew I was Evertonian. I’d been to a couple of games, but then one day something changed in me: the shape of the stands, (do you remember the arc behind the goal?), the sounds, the smells, the colour of the grass, they all contributed. I knew Goodison was my place.

What was the first game you remember?

I don’t know, I think I remember the 66 Cup Final, but maybe that’s wishful thinking, but I honestly don’t know which game I went to first. May not even have been Everton.

What’s with Everton’s nickname, The Toffees?

Something to do with a Toffee Shop near Goodison Park which sold Everton mints. That was way back, 1900 or 1901. Since then, the name Toffeemen or the Toffees has stuck.

What memory of Everton will you still remember when your memory has finally faded and you are old and senile?

What do you mean “when”…? The 1984 Cup Final has always stayed with me, especially Andy Gray’s goal. He got there a split second before the keeper and headed it out of his hands almost! That was after Sharps quick turn and shot, lovely goal. The atmosphere was terrific – even if I was watching it on a telly in Bolton of all places.

The goalkeeper that day was our ex, Steve Sherwood. Anyway, if you had to pick your favourite Everton player of all time, who would it be?

You’d probably like me to pick Pat Nevin wouldn’t you? But no, it’s Kevin Ratcliffe. Fast, strong, a great tackler – imagine John Terry with pace. I loved him. It helped he played in a great side, too.

Back to the present day – who is your favourite player at the moment?

I’ve really got a soft spot for the young guns coming through, Jackie Rodwell and so on, so your people better keep your hands off. But I’d go for Marouane Fellaini, just ahead of Tim Cahill. If we can keep him – hell, we’ve really got to keep him – he will be a lynchpin at the middle of the park.

He took a while to settle here I think, judging by his performances, but moving back to defensive mid has improved his game and his control. Brilliant, in all honesty he can play anywhere, but I fear he may going walkies soon. Bill Kenwright’s really got to pull something out of the hat again to keep him. Fingers crossed.

Are there any off-field issues are facing Everton at the moment?

I suppose you are asking that because of your Pitch Owners situation. Don’t you trust the big Russian then? Anyway, apart from the everlasting finance problems facing us, nothing really. I’d like to get a rich billionaire in to give us loadsamoney, but to be honest I’m happy with old Bill Kenwright.

Everton have become renowned for their ability to compete at Premiership level without having Premiership finances. How do you manage this?

Yes, times have changed havent they? Forty years ago we were running with best of them but now we’ve been left behind by the influence of tv money and foreign owners. It’s hard. But a bleedin great youth system and a superb manager mean that we might have our odd scare during the season, call it a flirtation with relegation, but we generally finish well in the top half of the table. I’m convinced there are only five teams better than Everton at the moment, and maybe three or four more who are on a par.

How do you view your performance so far this season?

Patchy, but injuries and loss of players have played a big part. Early days yet though I think.

And how do you see your season going this time around?

Like I said I’m convinced there are five teams better than Everton, and maybe three or four more who are on a par so with a bit of luck we could be competing for Europe come next May. In all honesty though, I think 8^th would be a good finish – but Moyesy and Kenwright have pulled signings out of the bag for us before, so come January we may just get a player or two to give us that added push and make Europe more than just a dream. It’s certainly possible.

And how are you going to fare at Stamford Bridge on Saturday?

We’ve got the knack of getting something from your people, so I’m quietly confident of at least a point. Then again I saw your back four earlier in the season and even John Terry looks to be losing it, they were all over the place sometimes, so there’s a bit of me thinks we can come away with a win. Last minute header – there’s a prediction for you, Everton win 2-1.

Are you going to the game?

Just try to keep me away!

Have you ever been to Stamford Bridge?

I’m a lucky omen for David Moyes I think. I’ve been three times in the last – what? – four or five years or so, and we’ve never lost.  I used to go a few times a season when I lived in London – I was in Uni down there. Saw a few good players then – Colin Pates – did I see him play alongside Mickey Droy? That’s what I remember anyway. Fillery too. But generally you had a crap side then. Think I saw them draw against Wigan or Grimsby in a midweek Cup match in 1978/79, dire game. Has that bought back any memories for you?

Too many! So, are you a closet Chelsea fan? Why don’t you man-up and come out of the closet?

No, I could never follow Chelsea, obviously. One of the reasons I used to go down to Chelsea is because I used to hate them and I couldn’t risk not being there when we took points off them!

If you hated Chelsea, why did you still go there?

Well, sort of love-hate relationship really. I admit I used to quite like Chelsea many years ago, especially when you used to beat that team from the common side of Stanley Park. You beat them 4-2 one year, don’t remember when, but Zola scored and Vialli too I think.

Mark Hughes came on at half-time when we were 0-2 down and changed that game.

Yes, and years before that I think you beat them 3-2 or 4-2 in the FA Cup. You had a pretty poor side, I think you may have been in the old second division then. I was living in London then, made me laugh out loud that result! Really wiped the smile off their faces. You got to respect Liverpool I suppose but even so it’s great when they lose.

Back to hating Chelsea though, that started when Abramovich took over. There was an arrogance then I think, too much splashing the cash, it turned the league upside down and when Mourinho came, everyone hated him, me included. What Chelsea fans called self-confidence most other people call arrogance. It certainly didn’t do much for Chelsea. Chelsea bought their first title, no doubt about it, until the money arrived you were nowhere, that was what I didn’t like.

Did you know that Chelsea had finished third the season before that?

Did they? Okay, perhaps “nowhere” is too strong then. But still, I don’t think anyone liked Chelsea. Then when Mourinho went, they started firing all their managers. They just weren’t behaving properly. Personally, I couldn’t stand anything about Chelsea until Ancelotti took over. He bought a bit of style, a bit of class.

What do you think of our new manager, Andre Villas-Boas?

Excellent. Stylish, classy, young. New ideas. I’d like to see him do well, because he has done well at Porto and for me he seems to combine the best bits of a couple of managers like Mourinho’s attention to detail, Ferguson’s motivation and so on. Don’t know whether he can make it in the Premiership, it’s a lot different to Portugal, but personally I think he will.

Your favourite Chelsea Everton game?

Anything recent – apart from that Final of course. Quickest ever goal though.

Don’t remind me. What is your prediction for Chelsea this season?

Third, but that will be good in what I see as a transition season. I like your peoples emphasis on younger players, I like it that you are beginning to use the younger players more. I also like the new attacking style – personally I don’t think it’s as gung-ho attacking as some people make out, but it’s certainly easier on the eye, and I do quite enjoy watching them now.

So, yes, third in the League, no cup wins though, sorry. Another empty season, but I think you will see improvement in style and flair as the season goes on.

If there was one player from Chelsea you could have for free….

Josh McEachran. Quite a phenomenon and he has his whole career in front of him. From what I’ve seen, in a year or two he’ll be as good as Lampard, Gerrard, only inexperience is holding him back. Hope he gets that this season and next.

Club or Country?

Both. A balance has to be struck, so yes, both.

Prediction time! Your prediction for the top three for the Premiership this season is?

Man City, Man U and Spurs. [Laughs] No, not really, I can’t see United sticking the pace, I don’t think their young players can keep this sort of form up. Ferguson will ensure they finish second of course, because much as I hate to say it, that man is a genius. It’s City for me all the way. Tidy coach, superb squad who must keep up the pressure now early on. Chelsea to finish third, but for me Chelsea and Manure will be a good five points or more behind City.

FA Cup?

Difficult one. An outsider, I think. What about a Championship team, to beat the likes of Blackburn or Wolves?

Champions League?

Barca. Who else. Chelsea? Nah, no chance. Another quarter final berth for your people. I’m not even considering Manure or Arsenal, they just haven’t got the squads.

Five star dining at an upmarket restaurant, or bacon, egg and chips at a greasy spoon?

Five star dining every time. I’ll take the bacon eggs and chips as breakfast and then the posh nosh in the evening. With a fine red. Or two. Or three.

Politics? Or shouldn’t I ask?

You shouldn’t ask, politics and football shouldn’t mix. But as you asked, I don’t really bother, but more to the left and being pushed further by this bunch of halfwits.

Last, but not least, because I enjoy asking this one: how does it feel to be above Arsenal in the table?

Not just above them, but above them AND with a game in hand. They have massively underperformed so far and losing Fabregas and Nasri isn’t really an excuse – even without them they should have done better. I admire their loyalty to Wenger, but there is a line when loyalty turns to stupidity, and I can see some Arsenal fans think the club have reached that point now.

But it’s where we are at the end of the season that counts, and above Arsenal would suit me fine then. Oh, and one last thing: Nil Satis Nisi Optimum. That’s Everton, mate, nothing but the best!

Chelsea’s challenge of making it three FA Cups in a row were demolished in dramatic fashion at Stamford Bridge yesterday after Everton equalised in last minute of extra-time, before beating us 4-3 on penalties.

Chelsea were not at their best throughout the game but looked to have booked their place in the next round after Frank Lampard scored in the dying stages of the first half of extra-time.

But then Leighton Baines once again came back to haunt us with his left foot, and this time it was from a free-kick from 25 yards which did the damage.

Carlo Ancelotti gave Didier Drogba the starting role in the absence of cup-tied Fernando Torres, with Salomon Kalou, John Obi Mikel and Paulo Ferreira also returning to the starting line-up for this one with David Luiz also ineligible.

Everton started with Jermaine Beckford, who scored the equaliser at the Bridge earlier this season, as the goal scorer from the first leg, Louis Saha, was still out injured. Tim Cahill, who has an impressive record against Chelsea, also started after missing the first match due to International duty.

Chelsea started the game slowly, which has kind of become a habit for the defending Champions, as Everton were on the mark, hustling and bustling from minute one.

Chelsea were hoping to get a reaction from the returning Didier Drogba, but his first half performance was overshadowed by a knock he took from Jagielka, as he spent most of the half trying to knock off that injury.

Everton had their tactics spot on, but also resorted to excessive fouling to break down play. Referee Phil Dowd allowed Everton to get away with it, but wasn’t afraid to book Chelsea players for similar offences.

Chelsea faithful were again given the chance to show their frustration for Down after Ramires was booked for simulation when he went down in the box from a Howard challenge. The decision could have gone either way, Howard went for it and didn’t get the ball, but did get some of Ramires.

The only problem here was that Ramires did what every player does these days; go down when there is contact, no matter what the extent of it is.

The first half never lit up and was short on quality. Chelsea were creating chances but never looked in control of the game, which always gave Everton a chance to hit back.

Carlo introduced Michael Essien in place of Obi Mikel for the second half, as we looked to get more bite in the middle of the park without having to sacrifice our attacking play.

Chelsea started with much more vigour than what we witnessed in the whole of first half, and showed encouraging signs as we camped Everton in their own half, threatening to take the game away from them.

Despite dominating the second half, the goal wasn’t to come for us, with Lampard’s chip over the bar representing the best chance for Carlo Ancelotti’s men, but were then given a mighty bad scare when Fellaini put the ball in the back of the net just before the full time whistle, but it was correctly ruled offside.

Inevitably it was extra-time for us, and Anelka was introduced to refresh things up and get that elusive goal so that penalties could be avoided, a thing which every Chelsea fan dreaded and considering our record in it, who could blame them.

Nicolas Anelka did the trick for Carlo Ancelotti as well, as he was the one who did the good work on the right to provide ball for the goal. Nico’s cross was chested down by Drogba for Lampard, who didn’t miss from five yards out.

With things going as they are, most of the Chelsea fans would have loved to have the Golden goal rule still in place, but it’s not, and we had another half to get through.

And as it turns out, the fears of Chelsea fans were well founded as Leighton Baines came back to lay more pain, but this time he didn’t need anyone else to put finishing touches to his good work, he did it himself, after he put the ball back into the back of the net from a free-kick to break the heart of all Chelsea fans and sent the visiting Merseysiders into ecstasy.

Chelsea then continued their atrocious penalty record and despite Leighton Baines missing the first Everton kick, we still came out on the losing end with Nicolas Anelka and Ashley Cole being the unfortunate ones to miss their penalties.

Based on the 90 minutes played, we deserved the win, even if you include the next 30 we still shade it, but credit to Everton for staying in it and never giving up. It’s a theme that we have been continuing from the past few games; we play well, but can’t kill of teams.

However, the point is that we never look in control of the games so even if we score we are not sure if that’s enough. With big games coming up, especially in Europe, our only chance of silverware now, this kind of frailty could really come back to haunt us.

Carlo Ancelotti insisted that best penalty takers were chosen, and was adamant that the team will be recover ahead of the Champions League tie that was coming up, he said; “Obviously, we are not happy but we have to look forward, to use these days, the next days, to recover well, to recover energy and to prepare well (for) the next game in the Champions League.”

“I think that we have the time. It will not be easy but we have the time.” Carlo added; “We had very good shooters from the penalty. Lampard, (Didier) Drogba, Anelka, Essien and Ashley Cole: they were the best.”

“Obviously, penalties are a lottery and sometimes you can win and sometimes you can lose.”

Chelsea (4-4-2): Cech, Ferreira, Ivanovic, Terry (c), Cole, Ramires, Lampard, Mikel (Essien h-t), Malouda (Anelka 90), Kalou (Zhirkov 110), Drogba.

Goal Lampard 103.

Chelsea had to come from behind to earn a replay in the 4th round of the FA Cup against Everton. Louis Saha gave Everton the lead early in the second half, but a Saloman Kalou goal fifteen minutes from time gave the FA Cup holders a draw, despite not being at their best.

Carlo Ancelotti picked a full-strength starting line-up, some of this being owed to the fact that we are ten points behind Utd in the League, and rest to the strength of the opposition.

Frank Lampard was the only change from the 4-0 win at Bolton, Mikel returning to the bench for this one. With Gael Kakuta and Patrick van Aanholt moving on loans, there was place for young Jacopo Sala on the bench.

Everton were still missing their top-scorer, Tim Cahill, who is away on International duty with Australia in the Asian Cup, but other than that David Moyes had a full-strength side to choose from.

It was a chilly day in Merseyside, but the bright sunshine made it a wonderful setting for football between the 2009 FA Cup finalists, although this was a very different game from the game which took place two years ago.

Everton started the game in a buoyant mood putting Chelsea under lot of pressure and thereby starving the players of time on the ball, leading to strayed passes.

The first half was a tight one with both teams failing to any create clear-cut chances. Still, each side had their opportunities to take the lead.

Nicolas Anelka had the chance for Chelsea, after being released by Ramires, but his shot was hit straight at Tim Howard.

On the other hand, Jack Rodwell had the best chance for Everton, after Essien lost possession of the ball in the middle of the park to Marouane Fellaini, allowing Saha to slide through to the young Englishmen, but his shot was well saved by the impressive Petr Cech.

Both teams went into the half time on level terms, with Everton being the better of the two teams after having dominated the possession. The problem for Chelsea was that they were being outshone in the middle of the park with only Ramires being performing to the levels expected.

The second half began in a similar way, with the match still waiting for some brilliance from either side to bring some life into the game, although this didn’t stop the travelling supporters, who were in full voice, from reminding everyone of our reported interest in a certain Merseyside striker.

Everton were in the lead soon though, Louis Saha heading in home from a Leighton Baines corner, the former Utd and Fulham man continuing his impressive scoring record against the Blues, his seventh goal in eight games now.

With things not going our way, Carlo Ancelotti decided to bring on Salomon Kalou in place of Florent Malouda, and it proved to be an inspired substitution as he scored within minutes of coming on. It was a quick break from an Everton corner; Anelka getting the ball on the left touchline with Ramires and Kalou making the forward runs, he found the Ivorian, who made no mistake in putting the ball into the back of the net.

It was an undeserved equaliser, but was nothing less than what we wanted, as it gave us another lease of life.

There were few chances after this, with Ramires going the closest with his fierce drive from 25yards which hit the bottom of the post with Howard beaten.

The game now moves on to Stamford Bridge for the replay on the 19th of February with Carlo Ancelotti definitely the happier of the two managers, and also maintaining the possibility that we could still win the FA Cup for the third consecutive time and for the fourth time in five years. With hopefully a signing or two to come before the end of the transfer window it could only get better.

Petr Cech and Ramires stood out for Chelsea in what was a rather dull display from us. Salomon Kalou, who often gets criticized very heavily from the Blues faithful, deserves credit for rescuing us a point in what looked like a lost cause ever since Everton took the lead.

Carlo Ancelotti admitted his side were second best on the day, but was understandably satisfied with the result, he said; “Everton put us under pressure and played good football and created chances to score, so the result is good. It was not a good game but in general it was a good performance.”

The manager added; “Everton have a special kind of football, play a lot of long balls and they like to fight in the box on set-pieces. But we showed a good attitude and spirit even though we did not play well.”

“We have to look forward now as we have very important games in the future.”

Chelsea (4-3-3): Cech, Bosingwa, Ivanovic, Terry (c), Cole, Essien, Ramires, Lampard (Mikel 84), Anelka, Drogba, Malouda (Kalou 69).

Goal: Kalou 74

We wanted John Terry back, we got it; we wanted Michael Essien back, we got it. Yet sadly the thing that we wanted the most, three points, eluded us on a day when a win would have taken us to the top of the league.

Everton hadn’t beaten us at Stamford Bridge for 16 years, but this didn’t highlight the fact that we haven’t got three points against them on the past five occasions, and sadly this was the case again as Jermaine Beckford’s late equaliser left us winless in 4, a run which has seen us collect only 2 points out of possible 12.

Chelsea welcomed back Terry and Essien to their starting line-up, but Lampard missed out again, as Carlo Ancelotti made two changes, with Alex out with injury and Ramires dropping to the bench.

We had been guilty of slow starts in the past which gave the opposition early momentum, thereby making it difficult for us, but we started brightly today and looked up to the task, although still missing that early season swagger.

Chelsea dominated the possession early on, but failed to create any clear cut chances, with John Terry going the closest after his strike hit the bar. Everton were holding their own even with the lack of possession.

However, this was soon to change when the experience Phil Neville, who was booked for tackle from behind on Malouda earlier, played in a loose back pass which allowed Nicolas Anelka to get in. The Frenchmen was one-on-one with Tim Howard and was brought down.

A penalty was given but Howard wasn’t sent-off. Drogba stepped up and scored his first goal since scoring against Arsenal.

Chelsea went into the half-time with a one goal lead and feeling confident. It was also a half in which John Terry showed what we were missing when he was out with his brilliant performance.

The second-half begin with Chelsea expected to press on and close the game out; instead we decided to sit back and invited pressure from the Blue boys from Merseyside. It was typical of the team which had just one win in previous five league games.

Everton started to have more of the possession as the game went on, with Baines causing trouble with his play on the left. First, Rodwell went close when his header hit the post, with Cech beaten. Then, Coleman hit his header straight down Cech’s throat on the back post.

The Big Czech goalkeeper then had a scare when Cahill left his foot while going for the ball. His stud caught Cech above his left eye, but luckily he wasn’t hurt. However, the Australian wasn’t punished for his dangerous play.
Chelsea then tried to have more control of the game and brought on Ferreira for Bosingwa, possibly to shore up the left hand side where Baines was causing all sorts of trouble, and Ramires in place of Anelka.

We made a little effort to get the second and decisive goal, when it was apparent that one isn’t going to be enough today and then Cole could have had it in the bag but he missed his chance under pressure from Coleman, after nice work from Essien and Ferreira created the opening. But in the end it would prove to be false dawn.

Everton were rewarded for their efforts in the second-half when a cross from the left by Baines found Cahill in the box and he nodded it down to Beckford to head it home. With this, the former Chelsea trainee laid a hammer blow on Chelsea’s confidence and earned Everton their sixth draw in as many games at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea were made to pay for stepping off the gas in the second-half and now sit in third place, behind Manchester United, who have a game in hand, and Arsenal. Still the boos coming in from Stamford Bridge at the end were totally uncalled for.

The Blues face all their title rivals in the coming games and have a chance to reclaim lost ground. Frank Lampard is expected to be restored to the starting line-up soon and Drogba, who is still recovering from Malaria, will only get better with time.

Carlo Ancelotti was also left disappointed with his team’s second half performance, he added; “It was not good. We didn’t win, we weren’t able to play our football. The first half was good, we went 1-0 up, but the second half was poor. We didn’t play our football we just played long ball and that isn’t our aim.”

“Sometimes we control the game but we have to make sure we don’t lose our way. We have to play always to the best level. It is difficult to understand why this happened in the second half, but it did and we have to try and find out why.”

Chelsea (4-3-3):Cech; Bosingwa (Ferreira 64), Ivanovic, Terry (c), Cole; Essien, Mikel (Sturridge 87), Malouda; Kalou, Drogba, Anelka (Ramires 77).
Scorers Drogba (pen) 41

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So the blip continues with two dropped points at home to Everton this afternoon.

We’d had the lead courtesy of a Drogba penalty, as well as dominating the first half, however the second half was another story, with Everton rampant and Chelsea on the back foot.

Despite the setback, who did you think performed the best in a blue shirt?

You voted the man of the match for Everton as John Terry. Thanks for voting.

VOTING NOW CLOSED

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With the snow now finally retreating and normality returning to the southern part of England, Chelsea take on a slippery situation of their own as Everton roll up to Stamford Bridge.

John Terry returns at the centre of defence just as Alex undertakes surgery that will see him out for around six-eight weeks, as does Michael Essien after missing three matches due to suspension. Lampard is still not yet ready to return.

Didier Drogba should lead the line with Kalou and Anelka, with Florent Malouda expected to remain in the mid-field with Mikel and Essien as Zhirkov is still not yet match fit.

In Friday’s press conference, Ancelotti spoke of Terry, saying; “John Terry is able to play, he trained well all this week, completely, and didn’t have a problem. He was in good condition and tomorrow will start.”

The Italian reported; “He trained without problem this week, I think the problem has gone. Maybe for the next game he will be 100 per cent because he has trained just three days but in the games he can improve his condition and it is not so important that he has to be 100 per cent.”

Ancelotti added; “Terry is important for other things. He has good control of the defensive line, he can speak and support the other players and can show character also.

Speaking of Essien’s return, Carlo noted; “‘Michael Essien like John Terry brings personality, brings character, bring qualities on the pitch, without Lampard we have difficulty in scoring goals from midfield. Essien was able to score and also for this reason it could be important to have him against Everton.”

With Essien about to make his 200th appearance for the club, the Ghanaian stated; “I am very happy in England, very happy in London and very happy playing for this club, I am so lucky to play for Chelsea, I couldn’t ask for more. I am at one of the biggest clubs in the world and I’m really enjoying my football.”

On his future with the club he said; “I hope there will be another 200 games. I have no plans to leave Chelsea, I owe this club a lot and I want to pay Chelsea and the fans back with my performances. I hope I can help the team win more trophies. If the chance comes to finish my career here I will take it but in football you never know, we will see what happens.”

Looking at the challenge Everton with bring, Ancelotti reflected on the importance of the match; “We’ve lost top of the table, didn’t score a lot of goals but now the most important thing is that we want to close this period. We have to close this period with a victory. It is not so important to stay top now, it is important at the end of the season, and we must focus on this game.!

“I put pressure on my players for this game. I want to see everything we can do, character, personality, good play, because I think it is one of the most important games for us in the season.”

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Chelsea’s lead at the top of the table is a solitary point after the Blues crashed to a 2-1 defeat against Everton at Goodison Park.

Manchester United’s draw with Aston Villa ensures that things remain very tight at the top as we enter the final third of the season.

Yuri Zhirkov replaced Michael Ballack in the only change from the side that beat Arsenal and it took just sixteen minutes for the visiting side to take the lead.

It was a display of route one football as Petr Cech launched a long free kick forward, finding the head of Didier Drogba. His flick was into the path of Florent Malouda, who held off Phil Neville before firing home first time past Tim Howard.

Predictably, the Everton equaliser came from a set piece. Loan singing Landon Donovan took a corner from the right that was brilliantly headed in by Louis Saha, who’d escaped the attentions of John Terry.

Donovan was involved again, winning a penalty after a careless challenge from Ricardo Carvalho. Saha stepped up and though his spot kick was hit firmly, it was a nice height for Cech who moved to his left to make a decent save.

Everton went ahead in the second half, again through Saha. Terry misjudged a long ball, allowing Saha to control with his chest before lashing a left footed finish past Cech and into the far corner.

Chelsea looked to hit back, but Drogba and Frank Lampard were both denied, the former by the woodwork and the latter by Howard in goals. An intriguing midweek of football once more leaves the Premier League race wide open.

For the second midweek running Chelsea are away from home, this time at Goodison Park. Chelsea are atop the Premier League with a two point gap over Manchester United, whilst Everton are currently exactly mid table.

Chelsea are coming off a resounding 2-0 win against Arsenal on the weekend, whilst Everton were defeated in the Merseyside derby 1-0 by Liverpool.

The Blues have no fresh problems heading into this match, but Everton will be missing Marouane Fellaini through injury and Steven Pienaar through suspension. Happily, Phillippe Senderos is available for Everton having moved on loan from Arsenal. Didier Drogba will be pleased.

Chelsea haven’t lost to Everton in 24 matches. The last time Everton beat Chelsea was in 2000, a 2-1 win at Goodison Park, the winner scored by Kevin Campbell. Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink was sent off.

In the match at Goodison Park last season these two sides played out a 0-0 draw. Scolari’s side had John Terry sent off in a match that saw Tim Cahill played as a long striker by David Moyes.

In the reverse fixture this season, the two sides played out a topsy turvy 3-3 draw. All of Everton’s goals came from set pieces, though they had more than their fair share of luck. Drogba scored twice and Nicolas Anelka once in that match.

Ladbrokes and William Hill have posted identical odds for this match, with Everton 4/1 long shots. Chelsea are strong favourites at 8/11, whilst the draw is paying a reasonably enticing 5/2.