A look at some of the moments away from the headlines after Everton's goalless draw with Chelsea
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Everton's Jesper Lindstrom (L) fights for the ball with Chelsea's Jadon Sancho during the English Premier League football match between Everton and Chelsea. Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP.
Everton's Jesper Lindstrom (L) fights for the ball with Chelsea's Jadon Sancho during the English Premier League football match between Everton and Chelsea. Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP.
Cole Palmer danced through Everton as Chelsea hammered the Blues at Stamford Bridge back in April. It was one of the few occasions in which Jarrad Branthwaite struggled during his emergence as one of Europe’s hottest defensive talents in his breakthrough campaign at Goodison Park.
The magic Palmer weaved on one of the worst nights of 2024 would likely have replayed in Branthwaite’s mind heading into Sunday’s match-up.
What happened midway through the second half would have been of great satisfaction to the 22-year-old, who has now hit his stride after injuries hampered the opening months of his season.
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Desperate to find a way through Everton’s stubborn defence, Palmer went on a run that saw him carry the call from his own half deep into home territory. Branthwaite was quick to the scene but chose not to dive in, instead biding his time as he tracked Palmer’s plans. He timed the sliding foul that followed to perfection, stealing the ball and fuelling a roar from the home stands.
Jesper Lindstrom shows new-found discipline
That challenge was one of a host of examples of Everton’s players showing their defensive resilience and spirit. The defence was a major problem at the start of the season as Everton leaked 13 goals in four games. As Christmas approaches they now have a record coveted across Europe.
In the aftermath of the match Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca remarked how Everton have one of the best clean sheet records in Europe after they earned a seventh in 10 games. That work has been based on several factors, from Branthwaite’s return to James Tarkowski overcoming injury.
Dyche is also drawing more from his attacking players - something notable in the draws against Chelsea and Arsenal. In the final stages on Sunday, winger Jesper Lindstrom twice tracked Jadon Sancho, the first time forcing him to run the ball out of play.
That defensive work led to Seamus Coleman giving him two exaggerated shoves to the chest in praise. Lindstrom was quick to repeat his efforts, winning the ball from Sancho with the last kick of the game.
Wind wreaks havoc in L4
Play was tough at Goodison as the game took place amid swirling wind, those on the pitch buffeted with strong gusts every now and then. Carrier bags twirled above the dugouts and long balls went out of control as players struggled to judge the conditions.
At one point, one of the corner flags was bent almost horizontal and referee Chris Kavanagh eventually had to give up on trying to guarantee that every set piece did not start with a moving ball. The wind was fierce and the game came just a fortnight after the Merseyside derby was called off due to safety concerns amid high winds.
One of the big differences for the authorities this weekend was that the Met Office’s alert did not rise above the yellow warning to a more serious amber one.
Jordan Pickford sees yellow in bizarre circumstances
While Kavanagh had to let some of the minor calls slide, he made no friends among the home supporters and was booed off at half-time. The last act of the opening 45 minutes was bizarre as Jordan Pickford entered the book.
Everton had won a free-kick in their own half and Kavanagh appeared to become frustrated over the length of time Pickford was taking. But after booking him, he blew for half-time as the ball was being kicked, raising questions over how much action he thought England’s number one had actually delayed.
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Fans Supporting Foodbanks strike the right tone
A sadly frustrating feature of the game was the extent and nature of chanting from the away end. ‘Feed the Scousers’ broke out for the first time in the opening 10 minutes and was quickly followed by ‘sign-on’.
The pathetic calls were met with the perfect response from Everton officials, who displayed the details of the fantastic work of Fans Supporting Foodbanks to coincide with the renditions. After the match, the charity posted on X: “Our van creaked, moaned & groaned as it exited Goodison Park this evening. Our message to the Chelsea fans is a simple, instead of chanting "Feed the Scousers" why not support the excellent Chelsea Supporters’ Trust Foodbank.”