Everton 1v0Chelsea
Scorer: Beckford (74)
Attendance: 38,712	FT (17:54)

 

 MATCH

 REPORTS

 

A disappointing Chelsea performance saw the side end the season with a defeat after a second-half solo effort from Jermaine Beckford put 10-man Toffees ahead.

Despite the man advantage, the visitors were unable to come back from that goal, their best play having come prior to Seamus Coleman's dismissal. Chelsea had improved after a poor start to the game. John Terry and Branislav Ivanovic came closest to scoring for Chelsea with shots against the post and the bar respectively, but Everton struck woodwork too.

Despite the loss, Chelsea finish the season in second place with 71 points. Everton sit seventh with 54 points, four behind Liverpool.

Carlo Ancelotti made two changes to the side which faced Newcastle last week. Florent Malouda came in for injured Yossi Benayoun while John Mikel Obi returned to midfield with Josh McEachran back on the bench. 

Both Petr Cech and Ashley Cole started their 38th league game of the season, meaning they've now played in every league fixture this campaign. It was also Cech's 313th game for the Blues, making him our highest overseas appearance maker. He overtakes Gianfranco Zola's 312 games.

There was no Didier Drogba today due to a tweaked thigh muscle; instead Fernando Torres was joined by Nicolas Anelka in a pairing up front.

Chelsea donned the black and orange strip for the final time and the game got off to a slow start. Jack Rodwell was the first player to truly threaten when he broke down the right and forced a corner. The subsequent cross led to Everton's first opportunity on goal when a Phil Jagielka header ricocheted off the bar inside the opening seven minutes.

The hosts would test Chelsea's defence further when a Baines freekick curled towards the far post but Mikel cleared after the ball took a deflection. Then, at the other end, long-range efforts byFrank Lampard and Anelka were both blocked.

As we passed the 15-minute mark, Seamus Coleman broke into Chelsea's area and found himself one-on-one with Cech but after hesitating with his shot, he was soon closed down by Cole. The left-back's expert tackle dealt with the threat but then Leon Osman went down in the area after an Alex challenge only for referee Peter Walton to wave play on. It was a correct decision to turn down penalty appeals.

Chelsea's first shot on goal didn't come until the 21st minute when Essien sent the ball careering into the crowd from 20 yards out. It was not the best start from Chelsea as Everton controlled possession, although Anelka did force a save from Tim Howard not long after Essien's attempt.

Cech did well to hold onto a deep cross from Baines, as he collided with Beckford in the air. The ball slipped from his grasp but he managed to catch it once again while on his back!

Baines would send one more shot screaming wide and Beckford a dangerous pass across the face of goal before the half-time whistle blew. Anelka was the last person to test Howard in the half, drilling low from 20 yards only for the Everton shot-stopper to gather with ease.

There were no changes for the second-half and within three minutes Everton had won a freekick 20 yards out following a Mikel foul. Arteta took the deadball kick, forcing a corner after the ball was deflected over. Everton were once again the stronger side.

Both Baines and Alex were then shown yellows in quick succession. Baines for a challenge on Anelka before Alex obstructed Beckford as he tried to break. Moments later Coleman was shown his second yellow for a late challenge on Mikel, leaving Everton with 10 men.

Chelsea immediately took advantage, smothering the Everton back line before John Terry sent a 25-yard scorcher ricocheting off the post.

Cech was called into action soon after to block a Beckford chance after the striker broke into the area but hit his shot straight at the keeper.

On the hour mark, Ancelotti made one change, swapping Mikel for Salomon Kalou. Soon after coming on, the Ivorian latched onto a Torres cross 10 yards in front of goal but was not able to turn and get his shot away before being dispossessed.

With 20 minutes left on the clock, Branislav Ivanovic moved to centre-back as Alex came off to be replaced by Paulo Ferreira. The Serbian then saw a shot bounce back off the cross bar as Chelsea pushed for the opener.

But it was Everton who scored. Beckford took possession inside the Everton area and beat Chelsea men on his way into our half. The striker broke past Essien before a lucky bounce saw him beat Terry and Ivanovic. He then found himself one-on-one with Cech before curling a shot towards the far post. The keeper got his fingertips to it but couldn't deflect the ball enough from its path. It was 1-0 with 75 minutes played.

Josh McEachran came on as the hosts celebrated, replacing Essien in midfield. Chelsea began to dominate possession; with most of the play taking place in Everton's half. However, the side were unable to produce any real chances on goal.