Chelsea strengthened his attempt to qualify for the Champions League while Nicolas Jackson put an end to his drought of 13 games to seal a 1-0 crucial victory against Everton on Saturday. Jackson struck the first half at Stamford Bridge to return to the match sheet for the first time since December. The 10th goal of the very deceased Senegal striker of the season was enough to raise the team of Enzo Maresca in fourth place in the Premier League. The second successive victory of the Blues Premier League was vital for their attempt to finish in the top five.
Chelsea will go to fifth place if Newcastle beat the third-bass of Ipswich later Saturday, but the winner of Jackson made sure that they stay hunting to return to the Champions League with four games to do.
Despite the essential result, it was another nervous afternoon for Maresca, who insisted this week that his first season in Chelsea was not a failure after the criticism of the conservative tactics of the Italian.
Maresca barely celebrated the 2-1 victory of last weekend in Fulham, leaving the ground immediately after the final whistle in a movement which was interpreted as an answer to the growing abuses of frustrated supporters.
The prudent match plans of the former manager of Leicester have annoyed the fans, who have ruined Mareresca and his players this season several times.
Maresca is categorical, he deserves respect for his work in Chelsea, who finished sixth under his predecessor Mauricio Pocsettino Last.
Chelsea still does not shoot all cylinders, but an edifying culminating point is at hand as they aim to seal a place in the Champions League and win the League of the UEFA Conference.
– Redemption for Jackson –
The Blues threatened an early goal when Noni Madueke moved away from the gap on the left side and cut inside for a low bobin who forced a beautiful stop by Jordan Pickford.
This quasi-manca paved the way in Chelsea to take control in the 27th minute with a well-designed opener.
The Everton Beto striker was dispossessed near the line halfway and Enzo Fernandez caressed a precise pass in Jackson, who turned a flash and pierced a superb strike in the lower corner from 20 meters.
In the middle of a difficult season spoiled by a long absence with an injury to the hamstrings, it was a sweet moment of takeover for Jackson.
Pouffled for a large part of the first half, Everton almost drew the level just before the interval.
Vitalii Mykolenko cut his pass to Abdoulaye Doucoure and the unmarked midfielder went down when he should at least forced Robert Sanchez to stop.
Everton was without victory during his 61 championship games on the previous outside when they had been hanging at halftime since a victory at West Bromwich Albion in 2015.
Pickford denied Madueke at the start of the second half when the Chelsea winger tried his chance from a tight angle.
Beto carried the biggest threat of Everton and he got closer to a weak explosion of the pass of Jack Harrison, forcing Sanchez to save in full swing.
Idrissa Gueye should have done better than shooting directly from Sanchez from a good position inside the area.
In time of stopping, the Cross of Carlos Alcaraz reached Dwight McNeil in the region, but Sanchez has made an agile safeguard.
Everton’s debauchery has proven to be decisive while Chelsea maintained itself in the intense relief of Maresca.
(With the exception of the title, this story has not been published by NDTV staff and is published from a unionized flow.)
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