Premier League: Chelsea miss out on top spot after being held to draw at Everton

London club settle for point on Merseyside while Vitor Pereira enjoys dream first game as Wolves manager

Jack Harrison misses a chance to score for Everton as his shot is saved by Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez during the goalless Premier League draw at Goodison Park on December 22, 2024. Getty Images

Chelsea dangerman Cole Palmer was closely marked by Everton and his influence was kept to a minimum. AFP

Referee Chris Kavanagh shows a yellow card to Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford. Getty Images

Chelsea defender Tosin Adarabioyo makes a vital block to deny Everton's Iliman Ndiaye a second-half goal. AFP

Everton manager Sean Dyche, left, alongside his Chelsea counterpart Enzo Maresca. Getty Images

Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford makes a save from Chelsea's Nicolas Jackson in the first half. PA

Chelsea defender Axel Disasi fouls Everton's Iliman Ndiaye. PA

Chelsea's Axel Disasi attempts to win a header from a corner. AP

New Everton chairman Marc Watts, right, with interim chief executive Colin Chong before the match. Getty Images

Chelsea missed out on taking over at the top of the Premier League on Sunday after being held to a goalless draw by Everton at a wet and windy Goodison Park.

Enzo Maresca's side would have leapfrogged Liverpool if they had won on Merseyside but had to settle for a draw that leaves them one point behind the Reds, who have two games in hand, starting with Tottenham Hotspur away later on Sunday.

Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson had a trio of opportunities to open the scoring in the first half after a cagey opening 25 minutes hampered by the blustery conditions.

The first came after midfielder Moises Caicedo produced a perfect tackle to win possession, starting a move that ended with Cole Palmer sending a low ball into the middle but Jackson saw his shot saved by Jordan Pickford with Malo Gusto then heading the rebound over the bar.

The Senegalese – who has nine Premier League goals this season – was again denied by England goalkeeper Pickford not long after when he turned Jackson's shot from an acute angle out for a corner.

From the resulting set-piece, Jackson went closer again when he headed against the post from close range.

But it was Everton who should have taken the lead just after half-time as the unmarked Jack Harrison saw his shot from eight yards out blocked by visiting goalkeeper Robert Sanchez.

Clear-cut chances remained few and far between, although Chelsea defender Tosin Adarabioyo did produce a vital last-ditch block to deny Iliman Ndiaye a certain goal 12 minutes from time.

The draw means Chelsea – who thrashed Shamrock Rovers 5-1 in the Uefa Conference League on Thursday – missed out on what would have been a ninth win on the spin in all competitions.

“It was very difficult,” admitted Adarabioyo after the match to Premier League Productions. “Everton are one of the best teams at keeping clean sheets and we are one of the best at scoring.

“The first half was very difficult with the weather but we showed fighting spirit. We are having a good run and are full of confidence. We will keep on pushing.”

Everton, meanwhile, secured a second battling point in succession after last week's goalless draw at Arsenal, having just seen The Friedkin Group's takeover of the club completed during the week.

Sean Dyche's side sit 15th in the table, four points above the relegation zone with a game in hand.

“We had a tough game away at Arsenal last week, but today I thought we would get chances and in the second half we did,” defender James Tarkowski said to BBC Radio 5 Live.

“Another clean sheet on the board and we are building at the minute. We're stopping top teams from scoring against us. I am proud of the way we worked today against a top, top side – a good point.

Pereira off to perfect start at Wolves

New Wolves manager Vitor Pereira got off to the perfect start as the visitors blew Leicester City away with three first-half goals en route to a 3-0 victory at the King Power Stadium.

It was Wolves' first game since sacking Gary O'Neil last weekend on the back of four straight Premier League defeats, and his successor Pereira, who arrived from Saudi Pro League side Al Shabab on Thursday on a 18-month deal, could hardly have wished for a better beginning.

Goncalo Guedes opened the scoring after 19 minutes and Rodrigo Gomes capitalised on a defensive mix-up to double Wolves' advantage after 36 minutes, with Matheus Cunha putting the game to bed before half-time. The result lifted 18th-placed Wolves within two points of Ruud van Nistelrooy's Foxes.

Another new manager in Ivan Juric was in attendance as his side held Fulham to a goalless draw at Craven Cottage – a result that leaves the Saints marooned at the bottom, eight points from safety.

Juric, who signed an 18-month contract at St Mary's earlier this week, watched from the stands as his new side picked up a much-needed point in difficult conditions on Sunday.

Interim manager Simon Rusk was on the touchline as the heroics of goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale frustrated Marco Silva's men. Juric, sacked as manager of Italian side Roma after only 12 games in November, will take over from the departed Russell Martin next week.