Maurizio Sarri set a new Premier League record as Chelsea stretched their unbeaten run but there was little else to celebrate as his team dropped points against Everton.
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Sarri, who has not lost in a dozen games and eclipsed Frank Clark’s start to his career at Nottingham Forest in 1994, watched his side dominate the second half without finding a way past Jordan Pickford.
England goalkeeper Pickford made a series of fine saves to deny Marcos Alonso, Alvaro Morata and Eden Hazard.
Willian also went close but the visitors kept a clean sheet and returned to Merseyside with a point.
Marco Silva will be concerned with a groin injury to Richarlison near the end but satisfied with a spirited display.
Apart from a victory in a penalty shoot-out in an FA Cup tie, Everton have not won in 29 visits to Stamford Bridge since 1994.
Silva’s team made a bright start, they were quicker to the ball and operating at a better tempo than Chelsea they exerted early pressure without creating any clear opportunities.
The Colombian centre-half, signed from Barcelona, was one of five bookings as the first half became increasingly scrappy and tempers frayed.
The niggly game became a test for Kevin Friend and his team of officials.
Jorginho received a yellow card for a nasty foul, late on Gylfi Sigurdsson and Alonso sank his studs into Theo Walcott’s ankle.
The clash between Antonio Rudiger and Bernard just before the interval seemed to epitomise the first 45 minutes.
MATCH FACTS AND STATS
CHELSEA (4-3-3): Arrizabalaga 6; Azpilicueta 6.5, Rudiger 7, Luiz 6, Alonso 7; Kante 6.5, Jorginho 6 (Fabregas 64, 6), Kovacic 6.5 (Barkley 81); Willian 6.5 (Pedro 68, 6), Morata 6, Hazard 7.
SUBS NOT USED: Caballero, Christensen, Zappacosta, Giroud.
GOALS: NONE
BOOKINGS: Jorginho, Kante, Rudiger, Morata.
MANAGER: Maurizio Sarri 6
EVERTON (4-2-3-1): Pickford 8; Coleman 6.5, Keane 6.5, Mina 6, Digne 6; Gomes 6.5, Gueye 7; Walcott 6, Sigurdsson 6.5 (Jagielka 76, 6), Bernard 5 (Lookman 64, 5); Richarlison 6 (Calvert-Lewin 89).
SUBS NOT USED: Stekelenburg, Baines, Davies, Tosun.
GOALS: NONE
BOOKINGS: Mina, Bernard, Pickford
MANAGER: Marco Silva 6
REFEREE: Kevin Friend 6
ATTENDANCE: 40,345.
WATCH HIGHLIGHT
