'Chelsea will feel how far they have come' - Hasselbainkpublished at 11:18 23 December
11:18 23 December
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A point from their last visit to Goodison Park shows "progression" for Chelsea, says former Blues striker Jimmy Floyd-Hasselbaink.
It is a ground Chelsea have struggled at recently, winning on just two of their previous 11 visits and being outplayed in a 2-0 defeat under Mauricio Pochettino last season.
Enzo Maresca's team missed the opportunity to move top of the Premier League for a few hours before Liverpool's win over Tottenham later on Sunday, but extended their unbeaten run to 12 matches in all competitions.
"Chelsea will feel how far they have come," Hasselbaink told BBC Radio 5 Live breakfast.
"To go to Everton having the expectation they will win and drawing, keeping a clean sheet and being disappointed shows that.
"If you analyse it at the beginning of the season and say 'this is what Chelsea are going to do' you would think there is no chance they would be where they are.
"In a way it is progression. Playing there in very difficult circumstances with the wind and the rain. Everton is always a difficult place to go no matter their position in the league.
"To keep a clean sheet - you have to score goals but nevertheless they have gone there and set out that they are not going to lose, they will leave with at least a point, and that is not a bad thing.
"Chelsea at the moment are feeling good and working really hard for each other."
Everton 0-0 Chelsea - the fans' verdictpublished at 10:42 23 December
10:42 23 December
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We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between Everton and Chelsea.
Here are some of your comments:
Everton fans
Neil: Another good point against a top side. There was nothing too exciting at times but we also had chances to win it. The final third remains a big issue, although there are signs it is improving.
Ron: It's not a result that will live long in the memory, but we have managed to take a point from Arsenal and a point from Chelsea. If 0-0 draws keep us from an end of season relegation scrap, I'm happy with it.
Jeff: Some might say that it is a valuable point against a top team - just like last week against Arsenal - but don't forget we lost three very expensive points to Southampton. Points-wise, I would rather have lost against Arsenal and Chelsea and beaten Southampton. Football-wise, it is getting very boring. The fifth 0-0 of the season. Next time I'm bringing a book to the match.
Ged: Chuffed. Dyche-ball will keep us up. The manager has helped the club weather one of the worst periods in recent history. I don't care about possession stats, he deserves a medal. We need to get through the Manchester City game, who knows what will happen there, and then it's onwards and upwards.
Chelsea fans
Mathew: Good point on the road. Robert Sanchez and Tosin Adarabioyo played really well for us. I also thought Pedro Neto played well and was a threat for us when going forward. It was a shame to see Nicolas Jackson's chance hit the post. Overall, I'm happy with the clean sheet. Now on to our Boxing Day match against Fulham.
Karl: This was the first time where there was some expectancy on us. We coped much better physically than we did last season in this fixture but, overall, we didn't do enough and could have lost it. So, for me, it's a point gained rather than two dropped.
Jeff: I'm very disappointed because of Chelsea's recent winning streak that they didn't win. I was expecting a lot more against this team - but well done, Everton. We could have tasted top spot.
Shaun: We have been getting carried away after a handful of good performances. This is a better reflection of where we are right now.
Cuthbert: The coach should be brave enough to pull Cole Palmer out, and not just Nicolas Jackson, when he is out of form. We have enough depth on the bench to rotate up front and win matches. We will face even more difficult teams, especially the top six, hence options should be there ready to break defences.
Are Blues surprising a few this season?published at 08:18 23 December
08:18 23 December
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Former Premier League midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker says Chelsea have "surprised many people" this season but deserve to be second in the league.
"At the start of the season, with all the noise around the club, I thought it would be too chaotic for any manager of any talent to sort out their issues," said Reo-Coker on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast.
"So full credit to Enzo Maresca because he has gone in there and made lots of tough decisions.
"Maresca has picked his team and been very honest and firm. He has established himself as the alpha at the club and they have started performing.
"They have surprised many people this year and are probably only one or two players away from being a team that can mount a Premier League title for years to come."
Everton 0-0 Chelsea: Key statpublished at 17:17 22 December
17:17 22 December
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Chelsea have hit the woodwork 12 times in the Premier League this season, with no team doing so more often than the Blues in the competition.
Meanwhile, only Erling Haaland (4) has struck the woodwork more times than Nicolas Jackson this term (3).
'That was a real game'published at 16:57 22 December
16:57 22 December
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Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has been speaking to Match of the Day about the goalless draw: "That was a real game. I am very happy because the performance of the boys was fantastic. Sometimes you have to play a different game, and we are learning to play a different game.
"They are one of the best teams in Europe in terms of clean sheets.
"I said to the players that I was more happy than [last week's] game at Brentford [where Chelsea won 2-1].
"We tried everything. For sure, you can always do something better but we are very happy because this is a tough stadium, not only for us but also [for other teams] in the Premier League."
'We showed fighting spirit'published at 16:30 22 December
16:30 22 December
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Chelsea defender Tosin Adarabioyo has been speaking to Premier League Productions following the goalless draw: "It was very difficult. Everton are one of the best teams at keeping clean sheets and we are one of the best at scoring.
"The first-half was very difficult with the weather, but we showed fighting spirit.
"We are having a good run and are full of confidence. We will keep on pushing."
Everton 0-0 Chelsea - send us your thoughtspublished at 15:55 22 December
Sutton's predictions: Everton v Chelseapublished at 12:05 22 December
12:05 22 December
Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League games this season, against a variety of guests.
For week 17, he takes on Reverend & the Makers singer Jon McClure.
Sutton's prediction: 1-2
The takeover at Everton has gone through now so there will probably be some speculation about Sean Dyche's future, but they would get rid of him now at their peril.
Basically, if they want to stay in the Premier League this season then they have to keep him as manager.
Dyche's Everton side are not tearing up any trees but they showed in the draw at Arsenal how resolute they are - they are awkward and difficult to break down.
Even so, you can't back against Chelsea right now, with the confidence they are playing with and the winning run they are on.
I've gone for three away wins already this week, which is a bit risky, but this has to be number four.
In FPL, Cole Palmer has some really hot streaks where he picks up lots of points and also some runs where he is much quieter.
I am backing him to come good this weekend in FPL and the real thing and play a big part in another Chelsea victory.
McClure's prediction: 0-2
I have become quite pally with Everton boss Sean Dyche. We supported Courteeners at the last minute at Leeds in November because they did not have a support band and, next thing I know, I have got Sean in my dressing room.
As well as really liking him, I have got my family connection to Everton so I am loathe to predict they will lose but I cannot see past Chelsea here.
Looking at current form, they are not far off being the best team in the Premier League. They have got Nicolas Jackson firing now, Palmer obviously is a genius and Noni Madueke is a really exciting talent.
No plans for Disasi departurepublished at 14:04 21 December
14:04 21 December
Nizaar Kinsella BBC Sport football news reporter
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Axel Disasi is not planning to leave Chelsea in January, despite interest from clubs in Europe.
The 26-year-old defender is happy at Chelsea and will not push for a move in the coming transfer window, despite reports linking him with Juventus and an unnamed German club.
Head coach Enzo Maresca is also not expected to push for his exit, with Benoit Badiashile out for what he describes as "a long time", along with Wesley Fofana's absence until early 2025.
Disasi, who has five caps for France, has worn the captain's armband on five occasions and played 13 times in all competitions for Chelsea this season.
He joined in a £38.5m move from Monaco in 2023.
'It is still manic at the back'published at 17:40 20 December
17:40 20 December
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We asked for your views on Chelsea's back line and whether it worries you given the number of goals they have been conceding.
Here are some of your comments:
Shango: Defence may yet prove to be our Achilles heel. Our current league position is largely because we've been able to outscore our opponents. Alex Ferguson's statement - "attack wins you games - defence wins you titles" - couldn't be more apt. But hey, trends do get bucked.
Russell: I am really surprised with the league position. Although Chelsea have been playing entertaining football, I think they have been very lucky in not conceding more goals. They need to concentrate on defensive errors and get a new goalkeeper.
Ninja: The defending is poor because they are young players who need more experience. Plus there has been lots of changes due to injuries, meaning it is still manic at the back so they are not managing the end of each game. Moving forward they have the tools and skills, they just need a regular settled defence.
Luigi: I am very worried when our goalkeeper has the ball at his feet. We need someone with more confidence with the ball and all of the defence need to concentrate until the final whistle is blown.
The Chelsea player approaching 'world-class' statuspublished at 16:21 20 December
16:21 20 December
Ross Mooring Fan writer
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It seems like everyone at Chelsea - a large percentage of the fanbase included - are in denial about the club being in this year's title race.
Only one season removed from a difficult season, albeit one that ended well, and two removed from an annus horribilis in Clearlake's first year of stewardship, Chelsea are suddenly clicking like their teams of old and are very much in contention at the top of the league.
This Blues team's attractive style of play - evoking memories of the 1960s and 70s teams that included Peter Osgood and Charlie Cooke - has seen Chelsea accumulate their highest average goals per game this late into a campaign in its history.
In spite of a leaky defence, the free-scoring nature of the team has seen the club cruise up behind Liverpool, and with a run of fixtures that sees Chelsea not face a top five team until a trip to Manchester City in late January, it is conceivable they could be heading the table by then.
Other than Cole Palmer - who evokes Cooke himself with his attacking flair - one of the principal players responsible for this run has been Moises Caicedo. The Ecuador international, whose rambunctious style of play in central midfield has been instrumental in controlling games, can pivot into attack at a moment's notice and effectively shields the defence from conceding even more chances than it already does.
His all-action displays have helped bring out improved performances in the players around him - notably Fernandez and Romeo Lavia - but it is Caicedo himself who has entered world-class status, if you ask pretty much any Chelsea supporter.
Everton v Chelsea: Did you know?published at 16:17 20 December
16:17 20 December
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From the start of May, Chelsea have scored more goals (51), won more games (15) and earned more points (49) in the Premier League than any other side.
Chelsea open to Chilwell and Chukwuemeka exitpublished at 13:50 20 December
13:50 20 December
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Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has said he is open for left-back Ben Chilwell and midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka to leave the club in January.
"There are players that unfortunately didn't play a lot with us in all the competitions, like Chilwell, like Carney," said Maresca. "Probably they're the first that will want to leave because they work every day because they want to play."
Chilwell, 27, was told in August that he was not part of the manager's plans and has only appeared once this season, in the second half of the Blues' Carabao Cup win against Barrow in September.
While 21-year-old Chukwuemeka, who joined from Aston Villa in January 2023, had made substitute appearances in the Conference League. However he was not in the squad for Thursday's 5-1 win over Shamrock Rovers.
"If they don't play probably they are thinking to leave," Maresca added. "Each player has a different situation so we'll see if anyone knocks the door and says I want to leave.
Could Chelsea's defence cost them the title?published at 11:29 20 December
11:29 20 December
Nicola Pearson BBC Sport journalist
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"Attack wins you games - defence wins you titles"
The words of legendary Premier League manager Sir Alex Ferguson - someone who knew a thing or two about winning the Premier League having led Manchester United to 13 of them.
Despite sitting second in the table, just two points behind leaders Liverpool (albeit having played a game more), Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca continues to insist his side are not yet title contenders.
Even the Opta predictions supercomputer gives the Blues a lesser chance of winning the league this season (5.8%) than third-placed Arsenal (10.4%).
They lead the form table over the past five matches and mathematically are very much in contention, so what is keeping them from being seen by some as genuine title contenders?
The answer may lie in defence.
While Chelsea have invested plenty of money into the squad since their takeover two years ago, there are still areas of concern - namely in goal and in the back line.
Prior to Wesley Fofana's recent injury, he had been forging a strong partnership with Levi Colwill in central defence.
However, at 24 and 21 respectively, both are still young and lacking some of the requisite experience. That will come with age and time.
On the flanks, Marc Cucurella has again fluctuated between excellent play and moments of madness, while across the pitch, it is captain Reece James' consistency issues in fitness that has caused disruption.
And, when it comes to the man they are all there to protect, Robert Sanchez, he continues to draw intakes of breath from supporters - for both good and bad reasons.
But what do the numbers say?
Perhaps surprisingly, Chelsea are joint-third for fewest goals conceded in the league this season (19), behind only Liverpool (13) and Arsenal (15).
However, it is the regularity with which they are conceding those goals and the quality of chances given up which is concerning.
According to Opta, the Blues have an expected goals against (xGA) figure of 23.56 - 10th highest in the league.
They also only have three clean sheets from their 16 games, well behind Liverpool, who have kept seven from 15.
More concerning are the errors leading to goals. Chelsea have made five so far, more than the other sides sitting in the top four who have two (Liverpool) and none (Arsenal and Nottingham Forest).
The graph above shows the history of previous Premier League champions and it suggest Chelsea's current record is not title-winning form.
All of the past 10 title winners have had a goals-conceded-per-game figure of less than one - the best being Manchester City in 2018-19 with 0.61 and the worst being Leicester in 2015-16 at 0.95, with an average of 0.81.
In comparison, Chelsea's figure for this season currently sits at 1.19 goals per game, while leaders Liverpool is at 0.87.
At least at the other end of the pitch, there is grounds for optimism. Chelsea are the league's top scorers with 37 goals and the goals-scored-per-game figure of 2.31 is very much that of title winners.
How worried are you about Chelsea's defence, Blues fans?
Can they win the title with the current goalkeeper and backline?
Keith: A good win against a team we should beat. Great to see the young players doing well. Can't wait to see this team play some better opponents in the knockout stages.
Matthew: Really good performance from us. Really happy to see Marc Guiu scoring a hat-trick. He is a really good player with high potential and he presses really well. Our performances in the Conference League have been professional. Also good to see the academy players playing. Huge game on Sunday for us now.
Fossie: Another fine performance. A shame about conceding a goal but no complaints. What was good to see was five academy youngsters in the team at the end of the game who are all potential England players for the future as well. So well played to the youngsters who all had a good game.
Kirema: Great performance by the whole team. Really enjoyed the nice touches and dominant possession. In Chelsea we trust once again.
Dec: Always in control but not many of the second string impressed. Could have been a little more difficult if the two big defensive mistakes hadn't led to Chelsea goals.
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