At this late point in the season, securing points outweighs the importance of performance. Chelsea managed to grab a vital win against Everton, a team already safe from relegation and seemingly content to play without urgency at Stamford Bridge. Nicolas Jackson`s first-half goal was the decider. This relaxed opponent was perhaps fortunate for Chelsea, as a more motivated side might have capitalized on Chelsea`s somewhat listless display.
Ultimately, their minimal effort proved sufficient. For now, Chelsea sits in the top five. Should they maintain this position after their final match against Nottingham Forest, Enzo Maresca will have met the initial expectations set upon his arrival. The final standing will be more significant than the manner of reaching it.
Typical of much of 2025, Chelsea demonstrated control that lacked penetration. They advanced the ball into the attacking third with relative ease but then appeared short on ideas or the drive to truly threaten. Moises Caicedo`s inverted role from right-back seemed strategically questionable. As this young squad increasingly reflects Maresca`s style, they seem less likely to trouble opposing defenses.
If Everton had anything substantial to play for, having long secured their Premier League status, this match could have been a significant challenge for Chelsea. Instead, the visitors effectively gifted them the winning goal. Jordan Pickford`s poorly judged low pass into midfield put Beto under immediate pressure, leading to him being dispossessed by Trevoh Chalobah, with Enzo Fernandez also involved. Fernandez then quickly passed to Jackson, who finished with a sharp low shot past Pickford.
In a Chelsea side that often lacked spark, Jackson was a notable exception. His movement was intelligent, finding space ahead of Everton`s central defenders rather Hand, rather than engaging in physical duels. He also tracked back diligently when possession was lost. His winning goal was excellently taken, and he nearly added another but was flagged offside after scoring from a rebound. Despite a recent goalless run, Jackson`s performance today suggested he warrants a key role in Chelsea`s future.
Noni Madueke also impressed, providing energy after moving to the left side. However, their efforts weren`t sufficient on their own. Goalkeeper Robert Sanchez needed to make several crucial saves towards the end to prevent Everton from equalizing, parrying shots from Beto and then Dwight McNeil as the match concluded.
The game should not have been this challenging against an opponent with no objectives left. While Maresca`s team did achieve their immediate goal of winning, they still face significant hurdles. With the top-five race ongoing, repeating such a performance in upcoming difficult fixtures could lead to considerable trouble for Chelsea`s ambitions.
