In the final stretch of the season, where results outweigh performances, Chelsea secured a crucial win against an Everton side with little left to play for. Nicolas Jackson`s first-half goal was enough to defeat the Toffees, who appeared content to simply see out the match at Stamford Bridge, having already guaranteed their Premier League survival. This was likely a relief for Enzo Maresca, as a more motivated opponent could have exploited Chelsea`s somewhat passive display.
Ultimately, their minimal effort proved sufficient. At least for now, Chelsea occupy a top-five spot. Should they maintain this position after their final match against Nottingham Forest, Maresca will have met the initial expectations set upon his arrival. The outcome of achieving a top-five finish will be prioritized over the manner in which it was accomplished.
Consistent with their performances throughout much of 2025, Chelsea exhibited a style that appeared controlled but lacked genuine attacking threat. They advanced the ball into the final third without much difficulty but then seemed unsure or unwilling to create clear-cut chances. The tactical choice of Moises Caicedo inverting from right-back felt somewhat questionable. It seems the more this youthful squad adopts Maresca`s tactical approach, the less challenging they become for opposing defenses.
Against an Everton team already safe from relegation and thus lacking motivation, this encounter could have been significantly tougher for Chelsea. Instead, the visitors essentially gifted them the winning goal. Jordan Pickford`s ill-advised low pass into midfield put immediate pressure on Beto. Trevoh Chalobah dispossessed him from behind while Enzo Fernandez closed in from the front. Fernandez then quickly passed to Jackson, who fired a low shot past the reach of Pickford.
Nicolas Jackson was one of the few bright spots in a Chelsea team that often lacked urgency. His movement was intelligent, often finding space between the lines rather than engaging in physical duels with Everton`s central defenders. He also demonstrated a willingness to track back and regain possession. His goal was excellently taken, and he had another disallowed for a narrow offside after a Marc Cucurella shot. Despite a previous dry spell of 12 games without a goal, Jackson`s performance today suggested he warrants a key role in Chelsea`s future.
Noni Madueke also provided a spark, particularly after being moved to the left wing. However, their individual efforts weren`t enough to fully contain Everton, and Robert Sanchez needed to make two sharp saves in the dying moments, denying Beto and then Dwight McNeil, to secure the points for Chelsea.
The match against a team with nothing at stake should not have been this competitive. While Chelsea`s top-five destiny is still in their hands with crucial remaining fixtures, performances like this will make securing that spot exceedingly difficult. They will need to show significant improvement in their upcoming vital games.
