Hello and welcome to football.london for live coverage of Chelsea's match with Everton this afternoon.
The Blues take on the Toffees in the early kick-off at 12:30pm (UK time) today as Enzo Maresca's men continue their pursuit of Champions League qualification. Heading into the weekend, Chelsea sit in sixth-place but three points would lift them to fourth, for the time being, anyway.
However, David Moyes' Everton side have proved to be really stubborn opposition since the Scot was re-appointed as Toffees boss back in January. Since he took over at Goodison Park for a second time, his side have been beaten just three times in the Premier League, and two of those defeats came against Liverpool and Manchester City.
Bobby Vincent is at Stamford Bridge throughout the morning and afternoon to bring you all of the pre-match build-up, live coverage of the game itself and the reaction afterwards. All you have to do is scroll down and stay tuned to our dedicated live blog.
FULL-TIME
Chelsea move back into the top four. Nicolas Jackson's first-half strike is enough for the Blues, who deserved the three points overall. Huge, huge victory.
Disallowed goal
Jackson thought he had his second of the afternoon after Cucurella's shot was saved by Pickford and the ball fell to the striker. However, the offside flag is up. VAR check confirms the initial decision of no goal.
Another Chelsea change
Madueke, who did really well on the left wing, is replaced by Sancho.
Great save
Madueke is denied by Pickford for a third time. Again on his right foot, the winger cuts in and strikes low but Pickford prevents it with a fine stop.
James time
The captain is on, replacing Lavia with just over 20 minutes of normal time remaining.
Big save Sanchez
A big moment from Sanchez. Beto's strike is low and powerful but the goalkeeper does really well to deny the Portuguese striker. Everton's best chance.
Pickford saves
Madueke does really well to create a tiny bit of space after being found at the near post from a corner. Pickford does well to get down and deny the winger.
Second-half underway
Back underway. Ndiaye comes off for Everton with Alcaraz replacing the winger.
Half-time player ratings
Robert Sanchez - 5
Moises Caicedo - 6
Trevoh Chalobah - 7
Levi Colwill - 6
Marc Cucurella - 6
Romeo Lavia - 7
Enzo Fernandez - 7
Pedro Neto - 6
Cole Palmer - 6
Noni Madueke - 6
Nicolas Jackson - 8
Half-time
One-nil to Chelsea at the break. Jackson's strike on 27 minutes enough to separate the two teams. Everton have not carried much threat in attacking areas as of yet.
Big moment for Jackson
After almost 900 minutes without a goal in all competitions, Jackson has finally found the back of the net. And in style. Wonderful strike from the striker.
Goal! Chelsea 1-0 Everton (Jackson)
JACKSON! 1-0 to Chelsea. From the edge of the box, the Blues striker smashes it past Pickford and into the bottom corner. First goal in 14 games.
Another chance
Fernandez crosses the ball into the box from a free-kick and it falls to Cucurella after a scramble. The Spaniard puts it wide, however. Good chance.
Chance for Chelsea
The first real opportunity of the game goes Chelsea's way. Nice work from Madueke to create an angle for a shot and it forces a smart save from Pickford.
Half chance for Chelsea
Palmer finds Jackson, who looks to take O'Brien on and does but the ball gets stuck under his feet a bit. It goes out for a corner.
Chelsea setup
Madueke has started the match on the left - something we have not seen at all this season. Neto on the right.
Warm-ups completed
The two teams have now headed back down the tunnel as we approach kick-off here at Stamford Bridge.
Warm-ups underway
The two sides are out for their warm-up at Stamford Bridge. We're just over 30 minutes from kick-off in SW6.
Shearer prediction
Alan Shearer believes Chelsea will be held at home to Everton. Despite the Blues' positive result at Fulham six days ago, Shearer believes the visitors will be tough for the hosts at Stamford Bridge.
Speaking to Betfair, Shearer said:
Chelsea got a great result last week, away to Fulham - they were dead and buried with eight or nine minutes to go and made a change to bring on Tyrique George. He changed the game for them and Pedro Neto with an incredible finish as well. They went from disaster to euphoria. Everton will be a tough nut to crack - they will not make it easy for Chelsea. I'm going to go for a draw.
Interesting stat...
Only the fifth time that Romeo Lavia, Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo are all starting together for Chelsea in all competitions. #CFC record is W2 D1 L1 with the trio
— Kieran Gill (@kierangill_DM) April 26, 2025
Big afternoon for Lavia
Today is the first time Romeo Lavia has started for Chelsea in over three months. The 21-year-old midfielder's last appearance from the start was on January 14, where the Blues drew 2-2 with Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge.
Incidentally, that was the last game Cole Palmer scored in.
CONFIRMED TEAM NEWS
Chelsea line-up: Sanchez; Caicedo, Chalobah, Colwill, Cucurella; Lavia, Fernandez; Madueke, Palmer, Neto; Jackson.
Chelsea bench: Jorgensen, Acheampong, Badiashile, Tosin, James, Dewsbury-Hall, George, Sancho, Nkunku.
Team news soon
Here is your 15-minute warning for the official team news. Stay tuned and we will post it as soon as we get it!
Every word from Maresca yesterday
On Friday afternoon, Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca conducted his pre-match press conference at the club's training base in Cobham.
football.london's Bobby Vincent was one of the many journalists in attendance, where Maresca was asked about Christopher Nkunku, the Blues' progress this season, the latest injury news, Pedro Neto's development, his one-match ban, and much more.
Read the full transcript here.
Fancy a bet?
Fancy a bet on the football today? Look no further. Here are the latest odds for this afternoon's match at Stamford Bridge:
Match result:
- Chelsea – 19/40
- Draw – 100/30
- Everton – 11/2
Odds provided by Betway.
