Nicolas Jackson’s first purpose since December offered a significant increase to Chelsea’s Champions League qualification hopes as they beat Everton 1-0 at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
Jackson drilled residence from simply exterior the world within the twenty seventh minute, having been fed by Enzo Fernandez after Everton striker Beto misplaced possession cheaply inside his personal half.
That strike ensured Chelsea took full benefit of Manchester Metropolis, Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa being in FA Cup motion this weekend.
However they needed to come by way of an Everton onslaught within the second half, with the Toffees vastly improved by David Moyes’ Sixty fourth-minute introductions of Dwight McNeil, Youssef Chermiti and Ashley Younger.
After Beto had labored Robert Sanchez from the sting of the field, the Chelsea goalkeeper made a shocking save to maintain out McNeil’s close-range volley within the 87th minute.
Everton additionally felt Sanchez was lucky to keep away from conceding a penalty within the first half, having come off his line to punch and solely succeeded in clattering Vitalii Mykolenko.
Jordan Pickford twice denied Noni Madueke on the different finish and Jackson had a possible second purpose disallowed for offside, however his first-half strike was in the end sufficient for Enzo Maresca’s males.
The end result takes them fourth within the desk, one level behind Metropolis and above Forest on purpose distinction, although Newcastle United may overtake them after they host Ipswich City afterward Saturday. Everton keep thirteenth.
13 – Nicolas Jackson has scored his first purpose in 13 Premier League appearances, ending his longest run with out scoring within the competitors. It was his twenty fourth Premier League purpose total, however the first to come back from exterior the field. Awaited. pic.twitter.com/W6hE2ifNUF
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 26, 2025
Information debrief: Jackson makes the distinction
Jackson’s purpose right here was his first in 13 Premier League appearances, ending his longest purpose drought within the competitors (12 video games).
It was his twenty fourth purpose total within the English prime flight, however his first to be scored from exterior the penalty space.
