Chelsea moved closer to a Champions League spot after a narrow 1-0 win over Everton at Stamford Bridge on Saturday. Nicolas Jackson ended his 13-game goal drought with a precise first-half strike, giving the Blues a much-needed victory. The goal, his 10th of the season, came after Enzo Fernandez delivered a sharp pass that Jackson controlled and fired into the bottom corner from 20 yards out.
The win lifted Enzo Maresca’s side into fourth place in the Premier League table, although they could slip to fifth if Newcastle defeats Ipswich later in the day. Still, with four games remaining, Chelsea’s dream of a Champions League return is very much alive. Despite securing back-to-back league wins, Chelsea’s performance showed signs of nerves. Maresca, under pressure from fans for his cautious approach, has faced criticism throughout the season but remains firm in his belief that his work deserves respect.
Noni Madueke almost opened the scoring early on, forcing a good save from Everton’s Jordan Pickford. Chelsea finally broke through when Everton striker Beto lost the ball near midfield, leading to Fernandez setting up Jackson for the decisive finish. Everton struggled to respond and missed key chances, with Abdoulaye Doucoure heading wide just before halftime and Idrissa Gueye later shooting straight at Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez.
Everton’s record of failing to win away when trailing at halftime stretched to 62 games, a run dating back to 2015. Pickford made several saves to keep his team in the game, and Beto tested Sanchez with a powerful shot, but Everton lacked the finishing touch. In the final moments, Carlos Alcaraz found Dwight McNeil in the box, but Sanchez made a sharp save to preserve the win.
Chelsea’s defense held firm under late pressure, much to the visible relief of Maresca. With momentum building and European ambitions within reach, Chelsea heads into the final stretch of the season with renewed belief.
