Chelsea kept their Champions League hopes alive with a narrow but crucial 1-0 victory over Everton at Stamford Bridge on April 26, 2025. Despite missing head coach Enzo Maresca from the touchline due to a suspension, the Blues showed composure and resilience in a game that demanded focus and efficiency.
The decisive moment came in the 27th minute when Nicolas Jackson, under intense scrutiny for his lack of recent goals, finally found the back of the net. After a critical error from Everton's Beto, Chelsea quickly pounced. Trevoh Chalobah surged forward, linking well with Enzo Fernández, who fed Jackson inside the box. With cool precision, Jackson struck a low shot past Jordan Pickford into the bottom corner, scoring his first goal in over four months. The relief among Chelsea fans was palpable, and the goal gave the Blues a deserved lead after a dominant opening spell.
Chelsea were the sharper side throughout the first half, controlling possession and creating chances. Noni Madueke, in particular, was a constant threat down the right wing, forcing several saves from Pickford. The energy from the young Chelsea team suggested a hunger and urgency, perhaps fueled by the high stakes of securing a top-four finish.
Everton, however, did not fold. In the second half, they pushed forward with greater intent, forcing Chelsea onto the back foot. Robert Sánchez, Chelsea’s goalkeeper, was called into action on multiple occasions. His most critical interventions came late in the match, including a superb save in the 63rd minute from a powerful shot by Beto and an outstanding fingertip stop in the 88th minute to deny Dwight McNeil, which preserved Chelsea’s slender advantage. Defensive efforts from Chalobah and Cucurella were also vital as Everton threw everything forward in search of an equalizer.
A major talking point of the game was the absence of Enzo Maresca from the touchline. Maresca served a one-match touchline ban, a result of exuberant celebrations in a previous match that the Football Association deemed excessive. Without their head coach on the sidelines, Chelsea's assistants took charge, and the players appeared motivated to deliver a performance that would make an impact in Maresca’s absence. Watching from the stands, Maresca had to rely on the leadership of his senior players and coaching staff, and they responded with a gritty, professional performance.
The win pushed Chelsea into fourth place in the Premier League table, just one point behind Manchester City. With the race for Champions League qualification intensifying, the Blues face a daunting run-in with fixtures against Liverpool, Newcastle United, Manchester United, and Nottingham Forest still to come. Every point is now critical, and Saturday’s narrow victory over Everton may prove to be a defining moment in Chelsea’s late-season charge.
While the match itself may not be remembered for its flair or fluidity, it will be seen as a vital three points secured under pressure. Jackson’s goal, Sánchez’s heroics, and a collective sense of determination kept Chelsea’s season alive. With Maresca set to return to the touchline for the next match, the Blues will hope to build on this momentum as the final stretch of the season unfolds.
