FINE PICKFORD DISPLAY HANDS EVERTON POINT AT THE BRIDGE

A fine Jordan Pickford display in the Everton goal prevented Chelsea from moving to the top of the Premier League, with the match finishing 0-0.

Pickford was excellent between the sticks for the Toffees, with some brilliant saves to earn the visitors a point at Stamford Bridge.

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HOW IT HAPPENED -

Chelsea came into the match looking to keep the pressure on Liverpool, who went top of the league thanks to their win against Fulham not long before.

The first-half was limited in terms of chances for either side, with a key midfield battle going on.

Marcus Alonso came closest for the Blues in the first-half, his superbly hit volley was well saved by Jordan Pickford.

After the break, the best chance of the match came to Chelsea. Eden Hazard's cross was met by Alvaro Morata, but it just hit the striker - but it still forced an excellent save out of the England goalkeeper.

Alonso came close again for Chelsea, when his powerful left-footed strike hit the outside of the post; with Pickford beaten.

72 minutes in, the Blues had the ball in the back of the net through Morata, but the Spaniard was deemed to be in an offside position when Cesar Azpilicueta crossed it to him.

Hazard had a great chance moments later, but he couldn't find the target after some good work from Mateo Kovacic.

Source: Chelsea FC

Ross Barkley came on for the hosts to face his former side for the last 10 minutes.

Everton held on for an excellent point in London, with the Toffees staying ninth, and Chelsea staying third.

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STAT OF THE MATCH -

- Willian was the only player to create a chance for Chelsea in the opening 45 minutes. A statistic that kind of sums up the Blues' afternoon.

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THE MANAGERS' REACTION -

Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri was pleased with his team's improvement in the second-half, but was disappointed with how they played at the beginning.

"I think we played better in the second half with more intensity, we moved the ball faster," Sarri said.

"I think we have to sort out the problem of the approach of the match because in the last two or three matches we haven't been approaching the games right.

"At the beginning we moved the ball too slowly, so it is easy for the opposition to defend and impossible for us to be dangerous. Against Crystal Palace, the first 25 minutes were like today. We were unlucky in the second half.

"We have to accept the draw, at the end it's a good point and we are still unbeaten."

Everton boss Marco Silva has expressed his delight with the Toffees' spirit and performance at Stamford Bridge.

"We can grow like we want to grow as a team and we can challenge when we play this type of match," the Everton manager said.

"We had one goal. We came here to try to win the match.

"We know they are strong and they can create problems and the first half was amazing because we showed everything; organisation, good shape, team spirit, a fantastic attitude and belief in ourselves.

"We knew before the match it would be difficult to play here. We planned to come here to challenge them and I think this is the first time they didn't score one goal in one match this season."