Nicolas Jackson’s first aim since December supplied a serious enhance to Chelsea’s Champions League qualification hopes as they beat Everton 1-0 at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
Jackson drilled dwelling from simply outdoors the realm 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 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 surprising 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 aim disallowed for offside, however his first-half strike was in the end sufficient for Enzo Maresca’s males.
The consequence takes them fourth within the desk, one level behind Metropolis and above Forest on aim distinction, although Newcastle United might overtake them after they host Ipswich City afterward Saturday. Everton keep thirteenth.
13 – Nicolas Jackson has scored his first aim in 13 Premier League appearances, ending his longest run with out scoring within the competitors. It was his twenty fourth Premier League aim total, however the first to return from outdoors the field. Awaited. pic.twitter.com/W6hE2ifNUF
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 26, 2025
Knowledge debrief: Jackson makes the distinction
Jackson’s aim right here was his first in 13 Premier League appearances, ending his longest aim drought within the competitors (12 video games).
It was his twenty fourth aim total within the English prime flight, however his first to be scored from outdoors the penalty space.
