da brdice: Chelsea kept within three points of leaders Manchester City at the top of the Premier League with a commanding 3-1 win over Everton at Stamford Bridge.
da bet7k: John Terry and Daniel Sturridge gave the Blues a 2-0 lead before the half time whistle with Ramires adding a third in the second period before Apostolos Velios pulled one back for the visitors late on. It also kept up Andre Villas-Boas sides 100% at home this season barely having to break a sweat against the Toffees. After losing the Merseyside derby two weeks ago David Moyes’ side were desperate to bounce back but were comfortably beaten and have lost their last three slipping back into the bottom half of the table in the process. It was always going to be an uphill struggle for the Merseysiders with Chelsea riding high after trouncing Bolton 6-0 at the Reebok Stadium a fortnight ago and were full of confidence going into the game.
They were made to work in the opening stages though as Everton attempted to stifle their attacking threat closing down Juan Mata and Frank Lampard afforded little or no space in the centre of the park. Ramires did find some space though as Didier Drogba, partnered with Sturridge up front, released the midfielder only for Sylvain Distin to make a crucial interception as he bore down on goal. The visitors were swift on the counter attack and Louis Saha should have done better than to just fire straight at Petr Cech from close range. Chelsea were crying out for some inspiration and they found it in the 31st minute. Mata finally found some space in midfield with the Spaniard releasing the galloping Ashley Cole down the left and the full back’s first time cross was headed home by Sturridge.
Despite looking like they could force an equaliser the visitors were undone once again in first half stoppage time when Terry beat Tim Howard in the air to bundle home Lampards free kick. Everton came out strongly in the second period and Leon Osman almost halved the deficit shaving the outside of the post with a sweet effort. With a two-goal lead in the favour Chelsea soon started to exert their influence putting together some wonderful passing play and it was no surprise when they made it 3-0 on the hour mark.
Mata was central to it all again exchanging passes with Drogba before sending an inch perfect cross in towards Ramires who slid in to poke the ball past Howard. The Brazilian appeared to hurt himself after getting in-between two defenders to get to the ball and was replaced by Florent Malouda. Chelsea were in cruise control now and that let Everton back in with substitute Velios snatching a late consolation. The Greek striker sliding home Royston Drenthe’s cross but it didn’t take the gloss off another comfortable performance from a Chelsea side slowly coming into their own under Villas-Boas.