Nicolas Jackson had not scored for Chelsea since December 15 coming into today's game. Just when his side needed it most, the Blues striker ended his four-month goal drought to help secure a 1-0 win over Everton.
Enzo Maresca's side move up to 4th in the table, now ahead of Nottingham Forest and Newcastle who still have games in hand, and one point off Manchester City in third.
Meanwhile, Everton remain 13th but could slip as low as 17th by the end of this matchweek, such are the tight margins in the bottom half of the table.
2024/2025 Premier League
1-0
Match Report
Nicolas Jackson's first goal since December provided a major boost to Chelsea's Champions League qualification hopes as they beat Everton 1-0 at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
Jackson drilled home from just outside the area in the 27th minute, having been fed by Enzo Fernandez after Everton striker Beto lost possession cheaply inside his own half.
That strike ensured Chelsea took full advantage of Manchester City, Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa being in FA Cup action this weekend.
But they had to come through an Everton onslaught in the second half, with the Toffees vastly improved by David Moyes' 64th-minute introductions of Dwight McNeil, Youssef Chermiti and Ashley Young.
After Beto had worked Robert Sanchez from the edge of the box, the Chelsea goalkeeper made a stunning save to keep out McNeil's close-range volley in the 87th minute.
Everton also felt Sanchez was fortunate to avoid conceding a penalty in the first half, having come off his line to punch and only succeeded in clattering Vitalii Mykolenko.
Jordan Pickford twice denied Noni Madueke at the other end and Jackson had a potential second goal disallowed for offside, but his first-half strike was ultimately enough for Enzo Maresca's men.
The result takes them fourth in the table, one point behind City and above Forest on goal difference, though Newcastle United could overtake them when they host Ipswich Town later on Saturday. Everton stay 13th.
13 - Nicolas Jackson has scored his first goal in 13 Premier League appearances, ending his longest run without scoring in the competition. It was his 24th Premier League goal overall, but the first to come from outside the box. Awaited. pic.twitter.com/W6hE2ifNUF
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 26, 2025
Data debrief: Jackson makes the difference
Jackson's goal here was his first in 13 Premier League appearances, ending his longest goal drought in the competition (12 games).
It was his 24th goal overall in the English top flight, but his first to be scored from outside the penalty area.
𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐬𝐞𝐚 𝟏-𝟎 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐨𝐧: 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐒
— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) April 26, 2025
Nicolas Jackson ends his drought and Chelsea keep themselves in the hunt for Champions League qualification.
Get all the key Opta stats in our recap
A pinpoint finish from the Senegal international also took him to 10 Premier League goals this season, making him the second Chelsea player to achieve double figures this term after Cole Palmer.
This is the first time Chelsea have had multiple players hit double figures in back-to-back campaigns in the competition since 2009-10 and 2010-11, when Frank Lampard, Didier Drogba and Florent Malouda all did so.
Everton, meanwhile, were left to rue the absence of James Tarkowski, with a hamstring injury causing his run of 111 consecutive Premier League starts (109 for Everton, two for Burnley) to come to a halt.
The Toffees are now winless in their last 30 league trips to Chelsea, drawing 13 times and losing 17 in that run. Only against Leeds United (36 between 1953 and 2001) have they had a longer away winless run in league action.
Match Events
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27' GOAL! Chelsea 1-0 Everton Enzo assists Jackson to score
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Line-ups
Chelsea XI: Cucurella, Trevoh Chalobah, Robert Sánchez, Pedro Neto, Cole Palmer, Madueke, Enzo, Caicedo, Colwill, Lavia, Nicolas Jackson
Subs: Adarabioyo, Nkunku, Sancho, Reece James, Dewsbury-Hall, Badiashile, Jørgensen, Josh Acheampong, Tyrique George
Everton XI: Gueye, Pickford, Doucoure, Jack Harrison, Vitaliy Mykolenko, Garner, Beto, Iliman Ndiaye, Jarrad Branthwaite, Nathan Patterson, Jake O'Brien
Subs: Young, Coleman, Asmir Begovic, Keane, João Virgínia, McNeil, Carlos Alcaraz, Tim Iroegbunam, Chermiti