bonus365 Everton 0-0 Chelsea: Nicolas Jackson Misses Prove Costly For Title Challengers At Goodison Park

Nicolas Jackson in action against Everton Nicolas Jackson in action against Everton

Chelsea missed the chance to leapfrog Liverpool at the summit of the Premier League as they were held to a 0-0 draw by Everton. (More Football News)bonus365

Hannan Shahid was named the hero of the match for his spectacular double. Pakistan's five goals, which decisively thrashed China in Hulunbuir, have secured their place in the semi-finals of the Asian Champions Trophy 2024, where they join India. This sets up the potential for an India vs. Pakistan final, though the two teams will first face off in their fifth match on Saturday.

One did not realise the enormity of this feat. Harmanpreet is basically a defensive midfielder in footballing parlance and to score 200 goals, is truly a great achievement.

Enzo Maresca's side knew a win at Goodison Park would see them go top ahead of Tottenham playing Liverpool later on Sunday, but they were frustrated by a stoic defensive display from the Toffees.

Nicolas Jackson spurned two big chances in the first half, as he was thwarted by Jordan Pickford and then the woodwork.

For all Chelsea's possession, Everton had the best two opportunities after the break, but Jack Harrison fluffed his lines when one-on-one with Robert Sanchez before Tosin Adarabioyo made a fantastic block to deny Iliman Ndiaye.

The draw leaves Chelsea in second, though Liverpool could now increase their lead at the top to four points heading into Christmas.

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Everton, unbeaten in three games, are now 15th, four points clear of the bottom three.

FT. The points are shared at Goodison.[0-0]#EVECHE pic.twitter.com/kANylXwQh7

— Everton (@Everton)December 22, 2024

Data Debrief: Solid at the back, but flaky in attack

Since the beginning of October, Everton have kept seven clean sheets in the Premier League, the most of any team across Europe's big five leagues. The Toffees have kept five clean sheets across their last six league matches, and they also snapped Chelsea's 15-game scoring run in the top flight.

Yet it is a double-edged sword for the Toffees, as their latest goalless display means they have failed to score in nine league matches this season, which is the most of any side in the division, and the lack of composure up front was evident when Harrison snatched at a great chance early in the second half.

Chelsea saw a five-game winning run in the league come to an end and for all their attacking talent, the Blues accumulated just 0.77 expected goals, their lowest in any of their 17 Premier League matches this season and the fourth-lowest xG overall by a team to have had 12+ shots this term.

Everton – who are under new ownership following The Friedkin Group's takeover – finished with only 0.39 expected goalsbonus365, though Sean Dyche may feel his team were unfortunate not to snatch a smash-and-grab victory.