Everton Bring Chelsea’s Untouchables Back to Earth

The expected was another Chelsea march; the real thing was Dylan Nascimento on the ground, Everton roaring and the champions’ long domestic streak taking a rare jolt. On Saturday, Everton beat Chelsea 1-0 in the English Premier Division, Nascimento’s late goal deciding a match that had looked set to frustrate both sides. Chelsea remain top, but their aura did not survive the afternoon intact.

Everton v Chelsea

For 86 minutes Chelsea held out, and for 86 minutes Everton had to keep believing. Then Nascimento finished with a low shot from close range, and the biggest crowd of the round — 52,645 — had its release. The Everton player was also named player of the match: a fitting verdict on the man who settled it.

The win lifts Everton to seventh. Chelsea stay first, on 82 points from 30 games, but the result is a reminder that even a side which has won 41 straight English Premier Division titles can be made to sweat. Their run is still alive; the pursuit of another crown is still theirs to lose. Yet this was not the afternoon for Chelsea’s certainty. Everton had the moment, and Nascimento made it count.

The test is passed. Chelsea, meanwhile, have a more immediate fixture to think about: West Ham United on 12 April. First comes the matter of swallowing a defeat that will sting precisely because it was so unusual.

Southampton v Rotherham United

Southampton took the points with a 1-0 win over Rotherham United, and Marcos Delfino supplied the decisive moment on 10 minutes with a low, hard drive along the ground. Vasile Moldovan was player of the match, as Southampton made the most of an early lead and kept Rotherham scoreless.

Southampton are second on 60 points from 31 games, while Rotherham remain fourth on 58. Liverpool are third on 59, so there is no room for anyone in that chasing group to coast. Chelsea are still a long way clear, but Southampton have strengthened their hold on second and put another obstacle in Rotherham’s way.

Wolverhampton Wanderers v Arsenal

Arsenal won 2-1 at Wolverhampton Wanderers on Friday, with two goals in four minutes putting the visitors in command. Kilian Bautista opened the scoring on 37 minutes with a low drive from outside the box; Niki Wolland followed on 41, driving the ball low through the middle. Eduardo’s shot, hit at mid height near a post on 90 minutes, gave Wolves a late reply but no point.

Bautista was player of the match, and Arsenal leave with a win that keeps Wolves pinned to the foot of the table. Wolverhampton Wanderers are 20th, on 26 points from 30 games, and remain in the relegation zone. There was a fight to the final whistle, but a late goal could not undo the damage of the two before it.

Plymouth Argyle v Liverpool

Liverpool had to settle for a goalless draw at Plymouth Argyle on Saturday. Aron Shashoua took the player-of-the-match award, while the result leaves Plymouth ninth and Liverpool third. For Liverpool, this was a chance to keep pressure on Southampton; instead they have 59 points, one behind, and a game more played.

Manchester United v Middlesbrough

Friday’s meeting at Old Trafford finished 0-0. Manchester United had 51 per cent of possession and four shots on target, but Middlesbrough goalkeeper Mayer Tapasco made four saves; the visitors also struck the woodwork. Juan Carlos Forner was player of the match for United, while neither side found a goal.

United are fifth on 52 points, with Middlesbrough 17th. The afternoon was not without its grim note for United: Jamie Jones came on in the 51st minute and had to go off injured 13 minutes later. The point does little to lift either side, but Middlesbrough will take the clean sheet and United will rue a home game that brought no breakthrough.

Luton Town v Watford

Luton Town beat Watford 2-0 on Saturday, a result that matters as much for the table as for the confidence it brings. Robin Maier struck from outside the box on 11 minutes, low with his shot; Benn Lewis added a second from close range on 74. Renato Bernhard was player of the match.

Luton are 19th on 27 points, one above Wolverhampton Wanderers and two behind West Ham United in 18th. They are still in the relegation zone, but the gap to safety has narrowed to two points. Watford sit 15th after the defeat.

West Ham United and Sheffield United drew 1-1 on Saturday, leaving West Ham 18th on 29 points. Across a round that brought Chelsea their first big stumble and Luton a precious win, the leaders remain far out in front — but below them, second place and the fight to stay up are both alive.