Chelsea 0-0 Everton, Premier League: Post-match reaction

After a first half full of various incidents and flashpoints, the second half was much more of a football-first affair, with both sides looking dangerous, but Chelsea shading the quality of chances, especially as the half wore on and Everton started sitting deeper and deeper.

In fact, we can probably feel a bit frustrated that Chelsea missed a flurry of chances (by a combined handful of inches), that Alonso hit the post, and Morata was ignored on at least one excellent penalty shout (when he was dragged down by Yerry Mina), and all the other half-chances and great situations were all wasted.

With the draw, Chelsea remain third, two points behind Liverpool and at least a point behind Manchester City who play later today ... but only one point ahead of Spurs now, who are next up after the break.

Frustrating, unlucky day, and it’s only minor consolation that the unbeaten streak goes on (now at 18).

• No surprises in Sarri’s starting lineup, matching predictions and expectations. Was thus doubly surprising to see them making many of the same mistakes the more cobbled together second-string was making midweek as well.
• Fàbregas for Jorginho was a surprising substitution, though the latter’s yellow card probably had something to do with it. More standard changes of Pedro-for-Willian and Barkley-for-Kovačić followed.
• Impressively terrible performance from the referee, who handed out random yellow cards, ignored incidents by both teams, and basically ensured that no one was happy with him.
• Next up: international break, then Spurs away
• KTBFFH

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