Chelsea have emerged as Liverpool’s main challengers in the Premier League title race, and head coach Enzo Maresca will be disappointed with the result against Everton at Goodison Park.
The Blues have been in great form lately. Chelsea had won their past eight matches in all competitions before the Premier League game against Everton away from home at Goodison Park on Sunday afternoon.
With the Toffees in danger of getting relegated to the Championship at the end of the season, Chelsea were expected to pick up all three points in Liverpool. The match ended in a goalless draw.
Chelsea had chances to score, but the London club were not clinical enough. At the other end, Everton could have scored and won the game, especially in the 77th minute.
One of Chelsea’s best players against Everton was Tosin Adarabioyo, and it was the central defender who made the game-winning block to prevent a certain goal from Iliman Ndiaye.
Adarabioyo also kept Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin quiet and was a rock at the back. The 27-year-old centre-back showed once again why Chelsea signed him on a free transfer in the summer of 2024.
The experienced former Fulham defender was calm and composed in possession. He demonstrated that Maresca could rely upon him in the absence of Benoit Badiashile and Wesley Fofana.
According to SofaScore, Adarabioyo made five clearances, blocked one shot and made tackles for Chelsea against Everton.
The Chelsea centre-back won five ground duels and four aerial duels (headers). He took a total of 131 touches, and 108 of his 118 passes were accurate. That’s a pass accuracy of 92% – remarkable for a defender. Adarabioyo played 11 long balls and seven of them were accurate.
Football.London were hugely impressed with the display produced by Adarabioyo. While giving him 8 out of 10 in their Player Ratings, they wrote: “Does so well to deal with Dominic Calvert-Lewin. An unbelievable block on 77 minutes to prevent a certain goal for the hosts.”