Everton Frustrates Chelsea’s Title With A Die Minute Equalizer

Chelsea’s Premier League title challenge suffered a major setback as Everton snatched a 1-1 draw just hours after four of the European champions’ stars tested positive for the coronavirus on Thursday.

Chelsea was without Romelu Lukaku, Timo Werner and Callum Hudson-Odoi as a result of the latest Covid-19 outbreak.

Ben Chilwell, currently injured, also tested positive, while Kai Havertz was unable to play after feeling ill before the match.

The Blues were already without Mateo Kovacic as the Croatia midfielder recovers having contracted the virus earlier in December.

Shorn of so many key players, Chelsea laboured to break down stubborn Everton until Mason Mount netted midway through the second half at Stamford Bridge.

As for Everton, the list of absentees was long and painful, including Luca Digne, Richarlison, Andros Townsend, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Yerry Mina, Tom Davies, Demarai Gray, Fabian Delph, Salomon Rondon and Cenk Tosun. The Brazilian Allan was passed fit for the bench only, as was captain Seamus Coleman, but neither came on. There were two substitute goalkeepers on the seven-strong bench, the second of which was 38-year-old Andy Lonergan.

Despite dominating from start to finish, Chelsea were punished for switching off at the back when Jarrad Branthwaite scored an equalizing goal with 16 minutes left.

It was the 19-year-old defender’s first goal for Everton in just his third Premier League start.