Chelsea 2-2 Everton: Simms snatches last-gasp point despite Felix & Havertz goals

Chelsea were held to a 2-2 draw against Everton after a late equaliser in the Premier League on Saturday evening.

Graham Potter’s side continued their unbeaten streak in all competitions but only came away with a point from their clash with the Toffees at Stamford Bridge.

It was a fast start from Chelsea, with chances falling the way of Mateo Kovacic, Kai Havertz and Joao Felix, but they failed to create enough to beat Jordan Pickford and make the breakthrough in the opening 45.

Everton managed to comfortably deal with anything the Blues threw at them in the first half, but the west London side came out of the gates quickly in the second half.

In the 52nd minute, Felix saw his strike drift from the reach of Pickford and flick the post on its way in. It was a superb ball from Enzo Fernandez to find Ben Chilwell, who’s cross fell into the path of Felix.

The hosts though they had doubled their lead just minutes later, Christian Pulisic hit a wonderful effort that left Pickford rooted to his spot, but unfortunately for the 24-year-old Felix was offside in the build-up to the goal.

Chelsea were then caught out at the back, a corner was flicked on by James Tarkowski and then directed into the goal by Abdoulaye Doucoure to bring Sean Dyche’s side level.

There was a quick response from the Blues though, after being involved in the goal, Tarkowski brought down Reece James in the penalty area and handed Havertz the opportunity to restore the lead. The number 29 made no mistake and guided Chelsea back into the lead.

It looked as though Chelsea would just cruise to the finish line, but the drama in this contest was not quite done. Having come off the bench, Ellis Simms struck past Kepa Arrizabalaga in the 89th minute to score his first Premier League goal. The Blues did try to find a late winner, but they could not get it.

Potter opted to make three changes from the side that defeated Leicester City 3-1 last weekend with Reece James returning from illness and both Christian Pulisic and Benoit Badiashile coming back into the starting XI.

Chelsea started the game on the front foot, an early chance fell the way of captain Kovacic from a corner but his effort flashed wide of the goal. This was followed by opportunities for Felix and Havertz but neither of them managed to challenge Pickford.

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In the 20th minute, the German forward did test the England number one for the first time, but his long-ranged strike was comfortably smothered. Pickford was called into action again a couple of minutes after, a Chilwell cross was directed towards the goal by Felix but the goalkeeper was down sharply to deal with it.

The next chance for the hosts came courtesy of Felix, after being brought down in the build up by James Tarkowski, the Portuguese forward recovered to take up a good position on the edge of the box, the space opened up and while his shot was powerful it was straight down the throat of Pickford.

As the first half drew to a close, the action fizzled out, the west London side had been largely on top, but had failed to make the most of the chances they had fashioned.

Following the interval, the Blues came out firing again, a delivery from the left-hand side by Chilwell found the head of Havertz, who connected well and forced Pickford into another good stop. The clearance following the chance fell to James on the edge of the box, he went to strike but he was charged down by Doucoure, this sparked a counter attack for the visitors and an opening for Alex Iwobi, but Kepa Arrizabalaga made a simple save.

Chelsea’s push for an opener continued early in the second half and it did not take them long to find it. A wonderful ball from Fernandez picked out Chilwell, who’s deflected delivery found Felix. The number 11 then saw his left-footed attempt roll past Pickford and clip the post on its way in.

Just moments later, the Blues momentarily thought they had a second, but Pulisic’s stunning strike was ruled out as Felix had drifted into an offside position in the build-up.

In the 62nd minute, Conor Gallagher was introduced, coming on for the American who had his goal disallowed.

The game then really sprung into life, a surprise goal for the visitors came from a corner, Tarkowski’s header was flicked on by Doucoure, and despite Havertz’s best efforts to clear the ball off the line, it still crept in.

While the goal stunned the home crowd, the players responded well, bursting into the box James was tripped by Tarkowski and he earned the Blues a penalty. There was a brief check over the decision, but it was given. Despite the mind games from Pickford, Havertz was able to coolly dispatch from the spot, and following the goal he celebrated in the direction of the goalkeeper.

Chelsea looked as though they were just going to roll on to take all three points, but there was a late twist. Simms, who had come off the bench, fired home his first Premier League goal to tie the game and rescue a point in the last minute to frustrate the hosts who were forced to share the spoils.