Nicolas Jackson Fires Chelsea to Crucial Win Over Everton at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea secured a vital 1-0 victory over Everton in the Premier League, thanks to a clinical strike from Nicolas Jackson — a result that extends the Blues’ unbeaten league run against the Toffees at Stamford Bridge to an impressive 30 matches.

In a must-win clash to keep their UEFA Champions League ambitions alive, Chelsea started brightly but faced early pressure, with Beto testing Robert Sánchez and the Blues’ defense. Despite Everton’s resilient backline, Chelsea carved out chances, with Noni Madueke weaving past Nathan Patterson and forcing a smart save from Jordan Pickford.

The pressure continued when Pickford’s misjudged punch from a free-kick fell to Marc Cucurella, though the defender couldn’t keep his effort on target. Chelsea’s persistence soon paid off: Trevoh Chalobah dispossessed Beto and found Enzo Fernández, who fed Jackson for a cool, low finish — his first goal since mid-December.

The home side pushed for a second before halftime, with Fernández and Madueke coming close, but Everton reminded Chelsea of their threat when Abdoulaye Doucouré missed a key opportunity.

After the break, Madueke again tested Pickford, who reacted quickly to intercept Patterson’s poor backpass to deny Jackson a second. Everton showed more urgency, with Beto firing a powerful shot that Sánchez did well to smother, before being substituted as David Moyes looked to change the game.

Sánchez continued to stand firm, keeping out a strong strike from Idrissa Gueye, while Pickford produced several big saves to frustrate Madueke and deny Cucurella from a corner. Jackson later had the ball in the net again, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside.

Chelsea had to survive a late scare when Dwight McNeil unleashed a fierce effort, but Sánchez’s excellent save ensured the Blues held on for a second straight league win. The victory temporarily lifts Chelsea to fourth in the table, setting a positive tone ahead of their UEFA Conference League semi-final and a demanding Premier League run-in.

Meanwhile, Everton slip to back-to-back defeats for the first time in 13 league games — though all three of their recent losses have come against sides battling for next season’s Champions League places.