New Delhi: Everton performed admirably at Stamford Bridge, possibly creating more chances to win Wednesday evening's eventual goalless draw than their illustrious hosts, Chelsea.
With both these sides booking their FA Cup final place last weekend, this west London encounter would serve as something of a dress rehearsal for the Wembley final.
Guus Hiddink resisted the temptation to tinker with his line-up. Jose Bosingwa is still short of fitness, while Alex continues to start ahead of Ricardo Carvalho. David Moyes, though, did freshen up his side: Joseph Yobo, Lars Jacobsen and Segundo Castillo were notable inclusions, with Marouane Fellaini injured and Phil Jagielka given a very rare rest.
First Half
Everton started brightly through Jo, who headed into the arms of under-fire Petr Cech after a couple of minutes. Before ten minutes had been played, he'd also latched onto Tim Cahill's perfectly timed pass and, opting not to use his support, hit straight at the giant goalkeeper.
Thereafter, though, Chelsea started to get a feel for the game and were almost completely dominant by the midway point of the opening period. However, they didn't really create a clear-cut chance.
Didier Drogba's botched acrobatics, long range efforts from Michael Essien and Frank Lampard, and a dipping Michael Ballack free-kick were as close as they came to the opener.
Thus, Everton started to come back into the contest before half-time. Leighton Baines was particularly energetic, and was perhaps unlucky not to win a penalty as he tumbled over the leg of Alex.
Then, Ashley Cole was caught miles upfield, affording Jo far too much space. The Brazilian, though, slipped as he tried to pull the trigger.
Second Half
Buoyed by their first-half display, Everton started positively after the break and went close immediately. Leon Osman's cross, following more strong running from Baines, was headed into the arms of Cech by the diving Cahill.
Chelsea were able to find their feet quicker in the second half, but again failed to create good enough chances. Baines performed a glorious tackle on a frustrated Frank Lampard and Anelka pulled a shot wide, but that was the sum total until the hour mark.
Hiddink wasn't waiting around and made a double change at this point. Mikel John Obi and Salomon Kalou replaced two of the more tired Blues, Essien and Anelka.
Of all people, though, it was John Terry who went closest to opening the scoring with a fierce drive, but Tim Howard was equal to it.
The pressure continued to grow throughout the half. Joseph Yobo failed to clear a long ball and ended up leaving Malouda in a heap, but neither the referee nor the linesman were keen to penalise the Toffee.
The pattern of the game's last 20 minutes was to be expected: the hosts dominated and played with increasing desperation, whilst their visitors tried to hit on the break. Kalou leapt like a Salomon under pressure from Pienaar, but headed Ashley Cole's cross over the bar. Soon after, Joleon Lescott got his head on the Ivorian's placed shot.
At the other end, Jo's turn and half-volley sailed over the bar, Tim Cahill smashed into the side netting, and Pienaar rifled wide as the aforementioned Aussie turned provider.
Late on substitute Franco Di Santo tumbled in the box, more in hope than expectation, but the Pensioners' momentum was halted when Jo and Cech collided as the striker countered, with both needing a few minutes of treatment.
When the match restarted, now into injury time, Didier Drogba went very close to a last-gasp winner. The in-form hitman was fed by Branislav Ivanovic and, following a deft turn, his close-range shot cannoned off the bar and bounced clear.
Thus it finished, and one suspects that Chelsea's already dim title candle has been virtually doused now by the hard-working Merseyside men.
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