Chelsea 2-2 Everton: Ellis Simms secures last-minute draw at Stamford Bridge

Ellis Simms scored his first goal for Everton and secured a valuable point for Sean Dyche’s side as they twice came from behind to draw against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea broke Everton’s resistance seven minutes after the break when the superb Joao Felix drilled a low drive home, but they were held back when Abdoulaye Doucoure leveled from a corner after 69 minutes.

Everton were even for just seven minutes until Kai Havertz struck from the spot after Reece James was fouled by James Tarkowski – but there was to be a late twist in the story.

Dyche had used Simms to salvage a point and he delivered in style with a powerful run, finishing with a minute remaining.

“A young player who comes and earns his spurs. We know he has power and pace, then a good finish under the keeper,” Dyche told BBC Sport of Simms.

“I’m really happy for him. He spoke to me last week, I told him to tell me where he needs to improve. He told me four things and I said, ‘You’re right’ – one was to play harder and he did that today.”

Simms, on loan at Blackpool, Hearts and most recently Sunderland, was called back to Goodison Park in January as then-manager Frank Lampard sought to bolster his attacking options.

He made just one appearance at Everton prior to this season but has made six appearances since returning to his boyhood club – including four under Dyche.

Simms told Sky Sports: “It’s all about patience – I just had to wait for my chance. We have top players, so I won’t go straight into the team. I have to work hard and take my chance when I get it.”

Everton’s feat

Everton fans celebrated the point like a win and their joy was justified as they witnessed the character and fighting spirit Dyche has infused into his side.

They kept Chelsea at bay until the second half and then reacted superbly to the double deficit, especially when they recovered when everything looked lost after Havertz’s penalty.

Everton were consistently strong in defence, ready to throw bodies on the line and again showed their threat from set pieces when Doucoure headed in from a corner at the far post.

The highlight, however, was the way youngster Simms – back at Everton after a loan spell at Sunderland – muscled over Kalidou Koulibaly and ran into Chelsea keeper Kepa with a cool finish.

Everton survived a couple of late scares but deserved it after a performance that gives them real hope of winning their battle to avoid Premier League elimination.

Careless Chelsea gambled away a chance to win

Chelsea will be very frustrated with how they allowed Everton to come back twice and take a point away from Stamford Bridge.

Graham Potter’s side controlled the game by leading twice but Everton fought back into the fray each time.

Felix brought class to the game and fully deserved his goal, but he was substituted late on as Potter adopted a more conservative approach that ultimately didn’t get the desired result.

Chelsea have improved in recent weeks but this was a missed opportunity and halted their revival.

Potter is still adjusting to the huge influx of players following Chelsea’s transfer frenzy, but this has been a bitter disappointment after that recent rebound.

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