Everton sink Chelsea 2-0 to upset their top-four plans

Goals from forward Richarlison and midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson helped Everton beat Chelsea 2-0 in the Premier League on Sunday, denting the London side's hopes of finishing in the top four.

>>Reuters
Published : 17 March 2019, 07:27 PM
Updated : 17 March 2019, 07:27 PM

Brazil's Richarlison headed Marco Silva's side in front from close range in the 49th minute after Kepa Arrizabalaga had kept out striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin's powerful header from Sigurdsson's corner.

Everton went 2-0 up in the 72nd minute when Sigurdsson tucked the ball in past Arrizabalaga after his penalty kick was saved by the Chelsea goalkeeper following a foul in the box on Richarlison by Marcos Alonso.

The hosts were a transformed side after a poor opening half and went close two minutes after the restart with Arrizabalaga pushing away midfielder Andre Gomes's stinging left-footed shot from distance.

Chelsea had been unlucky not to score after a bright start. Eden Hazard's low drive was saved by Jordan Pickford in the sixth minute, before he cut in and hit the post a minute later and Argentina striker Gonzalo Higuain had a shot cleared off the line.

Defeat for sixth-placed Chelsea left them with 57 points from 30 matches, a point behind Manchester United above them and three points behind Arsenal in fourth.