Premier League 2024-25: Chelsea held by Everton in goalless draw; Southampton hold on for point by Fulham

Premier League 2024-25: Chelsea held by Everton in goalless draw; Southampton hold on for point by Fulham

Striker Nicolas Jackson struck the post with a close-range header as Chelsea was denied the chance to go top of the Premier League table as it was held to a 0-0 draw by Everton at a blustery Goodison Park on Sunday.

The conditions made it difficult for both teams, but they each had chances to win the game. Jackson was also denied from point-blank range by Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford as Everton kept a fifth clean sheet in six games.

Chelsea keeper Robert Sanchez denied Jack Harrison at the other end with a superb stop, while Iliman Ndiaye’s goal-bound shot was blocked by visiting defender Tosin Adarabioyo.

Chelsea remains in second place with 35 points, one behind leaders Liverpool but has now played two games more. Everton climbed to 15th with 16 points from 16 games, four clear of the relegation zone.

The result snapped Chelsea’s run of eight straight wins in all competitions, and five in a row in the Premier League, but in reality, it did not create enough with five shots on goal in the game, most of which were tame.

It was the first game for Everton since its purchase by the Friedkin Group in midweek, and there was certainly plenty of effort from the home side in front of a fervent home crowd.

Pickford made a superb save to deny Jackson at point-blank range early on, before Malo Gusto headed over the bar from the rebound with the goal gaping.

Jackson should have scored at the back post after a corner reached him through a sea of bodies, but his header from all of a yard came back off the woodwork.

At the other end, Orel Mangala forced a fine save from Sanchez, who went sprawling to his right with a low shot from the edge of the box.

Harrison should have scored when he was put into acres of space at the back post by Ndiaye, but Sanchez again made an excellent stop.

Chelsea was then grateful for a superb block from defender Tosin Adarabioyo to deny Ndiaye from four yards, the last big chance in the game.

In another match, Bottom-placed Southampton secured a point away from home for only the second time this season as a stout defensive performance saw it hold hosts Fulham to a goalless draw at Craven Cottage in London.

It was only the sixth point of the campaign for the struggling Saints, but a much-improved showing will have given hope to new manager Ivan Juric, who watched from the stands.

Southampton had conceded five goals in its previous Premier League outing last Sunday, thumped at home by Tottenham Hotspur after which manager Russell Martin was fired.

But with a new man waiting in the wings, and taking notes in the stands, there was a vast improvement in their defending as they kept a clean sheet for only the second time this season.