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Everton halt Chelsea's charge

23/10/2005

Everton have become the first team to take points of Chelsea this season after holding the champions to a 1-1 draw.

James Beattie had given Everton the lead from the penalty spot on 37 minutes, only for Lampard to draw the west-Londoners level early in the second half.

The two sides could not have gone into the match with more contrasting fortunes. While champions Chelsea had won all of their nine Premiership matches, Everton are rooted to the bottom of the table with just one victory.

However the recent form of the two sides was not obvious, with David Moyes' players acquitting themselves well.

Michael Essien had a chance in the first minute of the match, yet fired over the bar and Nigel Martyn was forced to turn Lampard's powerful strike around the post.

Despite these efforts, the opening stages of the contest were characterised more by physical challenges than flowing football.

The Toffees settled after Chelsea's early chances and had opportunities of their own. David Weir's free header, on 15 minutes, was punched to safety by Petr Cech.

Shaun Wright-Phillips shot wide after latching onto Lampard's long ball before making a major contribution at the wrong end of the pitch.

Everton were awarded a penalty when Tim Cahill was felled by Wright-Phillips just inside the Chelsea 18-yard box.

Beattie, who was sent off in this fixture last season, scored Everton's first goal at Goodison Park this season, hitting the ball powerfully into the net, off the underside of the crossbar, from the penalty spot.

Chelsea looked for an immediate reply and Joseph Yobo blocked a dangerous Asier del Horno effort.

However Everton's superiority did not last long. Lampard equalised for Chelsea with a trademark 25-yard strike on 50 minutes, which moved with venom.

The goal was Chelsea's 800th in the Premiership and already Lampard's eighth of the season.

Jose Mourinho's side looked to build on the goal and Didier Drogba had the ball in the net, after being played through by Lampard, yet the Ivory Coast striker was harshly ruled offside.

Chelsea enjoyed a lot of possession yet failed to turn this into a winning goal. Arjen Robben came off the bench to add pace and trickery, yet the Dutchman's curling shot flew just over the bar.

The point extends Chelsea's lead at the top of the table to nine points while Everton remain bottom of the league and three points from safety.

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