- 90'
Anelka crosses towards Drogba who chests the ball down but can't get the shot away. Could have been four, if he had.
- 89'
Ivanovic, Terry and Cech exchanging passes regularly. Likely to be a familiar sight until the game's end.
- 88'
Otherwise, Sturridge is likely to be dropped and owuld be unfair given his form and the fact that that would mean either Torres or Drogba being out of position.
- 87'
Chelsea currently looking Manchester United's biggest title rivals. Will be interesting to see if Torres comes back in or if Drogba's dropped. Would personally like to see Torres come straight in for Drogba.
- 86'
Drogba overhits a cross, collected by Howard.
- 86'
Anelka fouls Baines. Free-kick to Everton.
- 85'
Sturridge with some good play until the final touch lost possession. Impressive today for the young striker.
- 85'
Chelsea clearly don't want to give Everton an opportunity to score a second so could well be even more conservative, now. They won't want a frantic finish to the game.
- 83'
Any thoughts on the game? Send them to @ESPNsoccernet or @decwarrington via Twitter.
- 83'
Velios had only been on the pitch for 18 seconds before scoring. Quite the impact.
- 81'
<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Neville and Velios on. Saha and Cahill off.
- 81'
Fellaini wins the header, Drenthe collects and plays a square ball across the penalty area for Velios to collect with his first touch of the game. Had literally only just come on.
- 81'
<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> 3-1! The comeback's on? Or not.
- 80'
Howard rolls the ball out to Hibbert but, due to Chelsea's pressing, it's difficult to get out of their own half.
- 79'
Osman again fires wide with a curling effort. No threat, but he should be commended for taking some responsibility and repeatedly trying. One of Everton's most effective players, this evening.
- 79'
Sensible from AVB. Defend the lead - don't invite on any late pressure by conceding a reckless goal.
- 78'
Malouda likely to take the role Mata had, with Romeu a direct replacement for Mikel. Perhaps there now won't be another goal.
- 77'
Mata has been superb today. Mikel tidy, too - has done his job of breaking up Everton attacks. Will be interesting to see Romeu again, of course - he could well have a long future as Chelsea' holding midfielder.
- 77'
<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Mata and Mikel off for Romeu and Anelka
- 75'
You've missed little - perhaps unsurprisingly - beyound a Sturridge booking for a dive.
- 68'
<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Sturridge booked after a dive.
- 68'
Everton also content to keep the ball, as long as there's no danger from Chelsea. A sensible - if boring - approach. Although it's not difficult to envisage more goals from Chelsea.
- 68'
Everton also content to keep the ball, as long as there's no danger from Chelsea. A sensible - if boring - approach. Although it's not difficult to envisage more goals from Chelsea.
- 67'
Lampard looks to put Drogba into space with a ball over Everton's defence but Jagielka reads it and heads back to Howard. Fellaini in possession.
- 66'
Of course, would be silly and uncharacteristic of him to do so with Chelsea in full control.
- 66'
Somewhat of a surprise for Villas-Boas to bring Malouda on. Had Romeu and Meireles on the bench and both are more natural central midfielders than Malouda. Unless he's changing the team around?
- 65'
<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Ramires off (on his 50th Chelsea appearance), Malouda on.
- 64'
Ramires looks set to come off, Malouda getting warmed up.
- 63'
Ramires down injured so Sturridge kicks the ball out so he can get some treatment.
- 62'
Moyes looking helpless and it's difficult to sympathise. Can't blame him for trying to limit the damage. An outstanding, smart manager who knows his team's limitations - better than coming for the win and losing by several more.
- 62'
Good play from Mata who, after being played into the Evertom box by Drogba, cuts the ball back across goal and leaves a simple tap in for Ramires. 3-0.
- 62'
<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> 3-0! Ramires scores!
- 62'
Coleman's not had a bad game except for being at fault for Chelsea's opener. Plenty of effort but difficult against the world's best left-back - Cole - and often without the support he'd need.
- 61'
<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Drenthe replaces Coleman.
- 60'
Sturridge offside. Free-kick to Everton.
- 59'
Drenthe getting changed to come on... A game changer? I suspect the game's already over but he could inject some pace into Everton's play.
- 59'
Saha running with purpose towards the Chelsea goal but lacks support. Has to pass the ball wide to Baines before the attack fizzles out...
- 57'
Osman with a long range effort, fires over the bar. Decent effort but not a serious threat.
- 56'
The crucial question is this: will Abramovich be getting itchy feet? He wanted entertaining football.
- 55'
Stat: Chelsea have completed 365 passes to Everton's 135 (tells the tale, but doesn't tell the nature of those passes).
- 53'
Turning into one of those games where Chelsea look like they've an extra man. Crying out for an ambitious individual who wants to make an impact. Perhaps a sub?
- 52'
Such a boring game. At times it's reminiscent of Man Utd vs Blackburn last season after Utd had equalised and were content to just keep the ball and secure a draw.
- 52'
Bosingwa pass intercepted by Distin, Chelsea in possession again back in defence.
- 51'
Throw-in short and Bosingwa sends in a tame cross that's headed clear by Jagielka.
- 51'
Bosingwa sends a cross into the box from the right but it's headed clear by Distin.
- 49'
Meireles - on the bench - could be one to extend that, but it's unlikely Villas-Boas will remove Mikel and Ramires from the midfield at this point.
- 48'
Chelsea passing the ball around nicely - some one-touch football being played between Mata, Lampard and Drogba.
- 48'
Looks for Fellaini but possession is lost to Lampard, who tries to play in Drogba before the whistle blows for offside.
- 47'
Everton win a free-kick in their own half. Again, Baines to take.
- 47'
Throw in to Everton. Baines to take.
- 47'
And Chelsea have now restarted the second half in the same way they ended the first - content to steadily spread the ball and keep possession.
- 46'
Close for Osman! Curling effort beats Cech but hits the post and runs out.
Second-half kicks off.
So what can Everton do to change the game? Bring on a second striker? Velios has looked useful. Or introduce some more pace? Drenthe can be very dangerous, he seems wasted on the bench. Crucially, I expect Moyes to try and limit the damage as opposed to get back into it.
Replays of Terry's headed goal show Howard to have been very poor at that point. A good 'keeper, and has been a great signing for Everton, but he was well out of position there and to blame for the goal.
Kevin Keegan at half-time..."How many players can pick out a pass like Mata?". Keegan knows a thing or two about a good attacking player (it's anything behind the final third he struggles with)...
Any thoughts on the game? Send them to @ESPNsoccernet or @decwarrington.
Chelsea, who have scored with their only two decent chances, have been playing very slowly and patiently indeed. The second half is likely to see more of the same. Chelsea won't want to invite Everton to threaten and, with a two-goal lead, are likely to keep possession and gradually secure the three points.
- 45'
Half-time.
- 45'
Chelsea with a comfortable lead, now. Doesn't bode well for the second half.
- 45'
Lampard curls the free-kick in towards Terry who heads the ball down and past Howard, who managed to get an inneffective hand to it.
- 45'
<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> 2-0!
- 45'
Free-kick to Chelsea on edge of Everton box. Lampard to take.
- 45'
1 minute of extra-time to be played.
- 45'
Michael Essien spotted in the crowd. Wearing sunglasses on his shirt, too. Why does he need them? More importantly, will he ever play for Chelsea again?
- 45'
Saha tries to find some shooting space in the penalty box, but losing the ball before Baines sends it out for a goal kick.
- 45'
Ball sent long, Ivanovic clears for a throw. Baines again to take.
- 44'
Sturridge caught in possession after trying to find some shooting space. Everton free-kick after a Ramires foul on Cahill.
- 43'
Stat: Everton have had 5 offsides, Chelsea have had 0.
- 42'
Mata, Drogba and Lampard linking up nicely to provide Bosingwa with a crossing opportunity. Decent cross, but caught by Howard.
- 42'
<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Baines booked. Can't complain - obvious foul.
- 41'
Foul by Osman on Sturridge. Silly - Everton were in possession on the edge of the box. Chelsea free-kick.
- 40'
Chelsea in some ways resembling how they did when Scolari was manager. Mikel drops back alongside the two centre backs, while Bosingwa and Cole push forward. Almost a 3-4-3, at times.
- 39'
Baines caught offside. Chelsea free-kick.
- 38'
Baines curls the free-kick in but it's floated very high towards Cech who catches it under little pressure.
- 36'
<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Cole booked. Obvious foul on Hibbert, free-kick to Everton.
- 36'
Not necessarily the most entertaining approach but, regardless, it's effective.
- 36'
Building up the play, passing the ball under no pressure and looking to take advantage of any holes that open up.
- 36'
Chelsea again happy to continue spreading the ball and let Everton do the chasing. A very continental approach from them, so far.
- 35'
Coleman does the hard put, gets beyond Ashley Cole, and then wastes the ball by passing straight to Mata. Chelsea in possession in midfield.
- 34'
Jagielka Everton's best player by some distance, so far. Mata in behind Hibbert and threatening, but Jagielka puts Mata off balance to allow Howard to collect.
- 32'
Sturridge in an early claim to replace Rooney at Euro 2012?
- 31'
An Everton goal would have been better to make the game more entertaining. It'll be interesting to see if Everton are content to limit any damage or intend on scoring an equaliser.
- 31'
1-0 to Chelsea. A superb pass from Mata puts Ashley Cole in who crosses for Sturridge to head in. Good goal.
- 31'
<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Sturrudge scores!
- 30'
A quiet game so far at the 30 minute mark. Little of note. Chelsea happy to be patient and slowly create any chances, and Everton happy to sit back and allow Chelsea to have possession as long as it isn't threatening.
- 29'
Mata and Drogba linking up well on the edge of the Everton area but the final ball is missing. Better from Chelsea.
- 28'
Stat: Drogba has touched the ball 12 times so far.
- 28'
Corner wasted, and Cole cross comfortably collected by Howard. Cross wasn't going anywhere.
- 27'
Drogba chips Ramires in but Fellaini tackles the Brazilian. A good challenge. Corner to Chelsea.
- 26'
Lampard cross - looking for Drogba - headed clear by Jagielka.
- 26'
Everton looking to find Saha but he's looking isolated, thus far.
- 25'
Howard catches an average cross from Bosingwa.
- 25'
Cech, Terry and Ivanovic currently keeping possession around the Chelsea penalty box. The patient approach remains...
- 24'
How many Arsenal fans watching this would rather have Jagielka than Mertesacker?
- 24'
Jagielka again getting the better of Drogba after a cross from Cole. Good defending - an underrated player.
- 23'
Ramires fires high and wide. A poor effort - struggled to get the ball out from under his feet.
- 22'
Danger cleared. Mata - with a superb piece of skill inside his own penalty area - passes to Cech who clears.
- 22'
Baines to take...
- 22'
Baines plays in Fellaini who can't get his shot away dye to good defending from Mikel. Corner to Everton.
- 21'
Jagielka looks to hit it long to Saha but Chelsea intercept and Cech now has the ball...
- 20'
Bosingwa with a tame effort that goes wide. Never threatens, Howard unconcerned.
- 19'
Jagielka sens the ball long and finds Coleman. Cole defends superbly though and dispels any danger. Bosingwa now in possession on the right...
- 18'
Mikel plays Mata in but Baines now defends well. Goal-kick to Everton.
- 18'
Jagielka defending superbly from Drogba. The striker has a great reputation for bullying defenders but Jagielka physically stands up to him and wins the goal-kick for Everton.
- 17'
Chelsea - as a whole - look a far more flexible unit, nowadays.
- 17'
Mikel intercepts play and instantly looks to give the ball to Mata. Drogba also inclined to come wide.
- 17'
Free-kick to Chelsea after a foul by Fellaini. Taken short, Mikel in possession...
- 16'
Chelsea looking well drilled under Villas-Boas.
- 15'
Mata adopting an interesting position so far. Not restricted to the left, he's coming inside and being the playmaker from the centre and goes wide as soon as Lampard advances.
- 14'
Tim Cahill pressing the Chelsea defence with such energy. What a signing for Moyes, key to Everton's chances.
- 13'
Lampard spreading the play wide from midfield...
- 11'
A sign of things to come? Fellaini in possession and quickly surrounded by the Lampard-Mikel-Ramires triumvirate. Everton could be limited to the counter if Chelsea have their way.
- 11'
Shot from Saha after a through ball from Osman. Good effort, but comfortably saved by Cech.
- 11'
Mata - strangely - deep in midfield and building play from in front of the back two.
- 10'
Howard with a short goal-kick to Jagielka.
- 10'
Cole and Sturridge link up well until Cole's through ball is overhit and out for a goal kick.
- 9'
Comfortably dealt with by Chelsea until Lampard clears...
- 9'
Baines to take...
- 8'
Cole tackles Coleman for an Everton corner. Jagielka comes forward...
- 8'
Chelsea again have the ball in defence. Taking a patient approach, so far.
- 7'
Chelsea have been playing some good football of late, so it'll be interesting to see what difference Torres's absence and Drogba's presence makes. Both require different service.
- 7'
Chelsea free-kick played short...
- 6'
Cahill great in the air, but he wasn't in a dangerous position.
- 6'
Osman cross finds Tim Cahill who harmlessly heads wide.
- 5'
Ramires almost put through on goal but Distin wins the ball! No foul.
- 5'
Lampard running with the ball and appears to be looking for Mata whenever he gets the chance.
- 5'
Chelsea gradually probing on the edge of the penalty box until they concede possession...
- 4'
Terry and Ivanovic exchanging possession...
- 3'
Long ball from Chelsea defence out for an Everton throw-in.
- 3'
Fellaini passes to Saha but the ball runs clear before Ivanovic is fouled. Chelsea free-kick.
- 2'
Distin plays a long ball looking for Osman but it's headed clear.
- 1'
Rodwell now on the ball, Everton comfortably keeping possession...
- 1'
Fellaini in possession in midfield, passes to Osman who is tackled by Bosingwa.
- 1'
Chelsea instantly look to go forward, with Ramires and Sturridge leading an early attack that fizzles out.
- 1'
And Chelsea kick-off...
Stat: Rodwell makes his 100th Everton appearance.
Despite losing Arteta and cutting the budget, Everton - and David Moyes - can threaten the league's big clubs. If Chelsea and Villas-Boas are to be taken seriously as title challengers - and I strongly suspect they should be - this is the sort of game they have to win.
Kick-off just minutes away, then...
The two teams are in the tunnel, and walking out...
Difficult to argue with Chelsea's status as favourites. So I won't. But, if Everton are to score, they need to take advantage of the selection of Bosingwa and Mikel - both fail to provide great cover for the defence.
Kevin Keegan and Craig Burley both predict an Everton victory.
Villas-Boas, pre-game, calls for "focus and concentration". He also says United should "be happy" with their draw away to Liverpool.
Rodwell could be a key player, this evening. Everyone knows there's a position going as England's holding midfielder - so a good season could bring him into the international side - and, given Everton will inevitably be under a lot of pressure, his role in front of the back four could be crucial.
Another opportunity for the masterful Mata to show what a capable player he is, while Lampard can continue to prove he has plenty left to offer.
Chelsea, meanwhile, are set up with a lot of width and, with Mata, Sturridge and Drogba up front will look to stretch Everton's defence wherever possible.
Strong team selection from both managers. Moyes - who occasionally decides against picking an orthodox striker - starts with Saha. Presumably his intention is for Everton to defend any lead they may get.
<b>Everton team:</b> Howard; Hibbert, Jagielka, Distin, Baines; Osman, Rodwell, Fellaini, Coleman, Cahill; Saha
<b>Chelsea team:</b> Cech; Bosingwa, Ivanovic, Terry, Cole; Ramires, Mikel, Lampard; Sturridge, Drogba, Mata
<i>ESPNsoccernet</i> and Declan Warrington (@decwarrington) will bring you live commentary of this game at Stamford Bridge from 1715 BST. Kick-off is at 1730 BST, while team news will appear here as soon as it reaches us.
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