Chelsea claimed a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Everton at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, thanks to a first-half strike from Nicolas Jackson.
The forward’s composed finish in the 27th minute, following a sharp counter involving Trevoh Chalobah and Enzo Fernandez, was enough to separate the two sides in a tense and physical contest.
Manager Enzo Maresca’s earlier call for his side to master the art of winning narrowly echoed throughout the match. Despite their fourth consecutive 1-0 home win, Chelsea were far from dominant, relying on key saves from Robert Sanchez and crucial defensive efforts to keep Everton at bay.
Everton, scrappy and determined, posed a late threat with Beto and Dwight McNeil coming close, but ultimately lacked the quality to convert pressure into points. Jordan Pickford made notable saves himself, but Jackson’s lone goal stood as the decider.
The win lifts Chelsea to fourth in the Premier League table, intensifying the battle for Champions League qualification. Everton, meanwhile, remain mid-table in 13th.
