Hasselbaink: another brace

Charlie McFaulds reporting

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink scored two super goals and Gianfranco Zola another as Chelsea kept up their chase for a Champions League place with a comfortable victory over Everton in the Stamford Bridge sunshine.

The hosts started very well and should have been a goal in front inside five minutes when Hasselbaink reacted quickly when his left wing corner was poorly cleared, and floated a searching cross to the far post.

Mario Stanic climbed above his marker but headed wide with Everton goalkeeper Steve Simonsen struggling.

Peter Clarke then blocked to deny Hasselbaink after Simonsen had flapped at a Graeme Le Saux corner shortly afterwards.

The Dutch striker was on target again after 12 minutes, but this time Simonsen pulled off a smart low save.

Boudewijn Zenden then replaced the injured John Terry, but the change did little to interrupt Chelsea's rhythm, and the substitute almost made an immediate impact after receiving a neat pass from Hasselbaink, he fired narrowly wide from 25 yards.

Thomas Gravesen raised Everton spirits, controlling Clarke's header from a corner on his knee and turning Marcel Desailly inside out. But Chelsea keeper Carlo Cudicini was equal to his shot from just inside the box.

However, the West London team were finally rewarded for their efforts when Hasselbaink struck after 26 minutes.

The move was stated by Emmanuel Petit who fed Frank Lampard, and he in turn found the Dutchman, who burst through the centre of the Everton defence to toe poke the ball over the advancing Simonsen.

Chelsea maintained control of the match and it was no surprise when they added a second, although it took longer than anticipated.

When the goal came though it was well worth the wait and again the scorer was Hasselbaink. Zenden touched a free-kick into the path of the burly striker, who kept his powerful 30-yard drive down, as it swerved away from the diving Simonsen.

Chelsea never looked like losing their grip after the break either, and Zola shot narrowly over from 22-yards after good link play between Eidur Gudjohnsen and Lampard at the edge of the penalty area.

The Toffees were almost gifted a goal moments later though when hesitant defending by Mario Stanic allowed Alessandro Pistone a clear run at goal, but Cudicini spread himself well and saved from his compatriot.

	Zola: fine goal

Sloppy defending by the home team was the only way that Everton were likely to get back into this match, and Chelsea were guilty of it again when Mario Melchiot allowed Pistone another opportunity, but again Cudicini turned the ball past for a corner.

Everton almost grabbed a consolation in the closing minutes when Radzinski slipped the ball wide of the advancing Cudeicini and with Le Saux running to cover the front post, the Everton ace aimed for the back stick, but the angle was just too tight. A neat piece of skill that deserved more than a near miss.

Duncan Ferguson thumped a shot off the underside of the bar from six yards moments later when played through by Radzinski, before Zola sent his half-volley into the net to show the big Scot how half-chances should be taken.

Man-of-the-match: Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink (Chelsea)
Was always available for a pass. He terrorised the Everton defence and scored two sublime first-half goals.

Chelsea: Cudicini, Melchiot, Desailly, Terry (Zenden 15), Le Saux, Stanic, Petit (Jokanovic 70), Zola, Lampard, Gudjohnsen, Hasselbaink (Cole 77).
Subs Not Used: de Goey, Dalla Bona.

Everton: Simonsen, Watson, Weir, Clarke, Pistone, Alexandersson (Chadwick 77), Gravesen, Gemmill, Blomqvist (Linderoth 55), Ferguson, Radzinski.
Subs Not Used: Gerrard, Moore, Cleland.
Booked: Gravesen.

Att: 40,545
Ref: D Elleray (Harrow-on-the-Hill). 

Opta Index (Match Stats)