Robben Rocks Toffees (Sky Sports)
Chelsea 1 Everton 0
Arjen Robben grabbed his second goal in a week to beat Everton 1-0 at Stamford Bridge.
David Moyes' men showed why they are up amongst the Premiership leaders as they produced a battling display full of heart and commitment.
The Toffees were not just sitting back though, and had chances of their own before the game was eventually settled by a moment a quality from Robben.
The Dutchman is fast becoming a fans favourite and his 71st minute goal gave Chelsea a victory for the second time in a week after his European goal in midweek.
Everton started quickly and the tackles were flying in as they signalled their intent to try and match Chelsea.
The hosts had an early chance though, when Alessandro Pistone slipped enabling Frank Lampard to have a shot from 12 yards but the Italian stuck out a leg to divert it wide.
Everton were not just sitting back though, and Tim Cahill had a superb chance when he rose to head Kevin Kilbane's cross, but his effort was turned aside by a great Peter Cech save.
Robben has been a revelation since getting over his pre-season injury, and he fired in a dipping 30-yard volley that Nigel Martyn acrobatically tipped onto the crossbar.
One of a number of corners found Damien Duff at the far post and his shot was deflected into the path of Eidur Gudjohnsen, but typical Everton defending from Tony Hibbert denied him as he threw his body in the way of the shot.
Duff was causing trouble and his cross from the right went straight through to Martyn who parried the ball straight at Gudjohnsen and the ball went narrowly wide.
Everton were forced to defend with their lives but had a glorious chance to take the lead when Alan Stubbs arrived with a free header that he put wide when he should have at least hit the target.
Robben nearly broke the deadlock as he produced a stunning left footed free kick that whistled just past the post with Martyn beaten.
Chelsea prodded and probed but Everton always came up with the answers, until the 71st minute when Robben put the hosts ahead.
Gudjohnsen sent the Dutch winger away and David Weir could not live with Robben's pace and he galloped into the box.
The Scottish stopper had a tug at Robben's jersey but he was still able to lift the ball over Martyn and into the far corner as he was tumbling to continue his fine start to his Chelsea career.
Everton came close to a late leveller when substitute Kevin Campbell flew in ahead of Cech to head Marcus Bent's cross just over.
Chelsea had to hang on in the
dying stages but earned a win to keep up the pressure on Arsenal at the
top of the table.
Teams
Chelsea
Cech, Babayaro,
Ferreira, Carvalho, Terry, Duff (Huth 82), Lampard, Makelele, Tiago (Kezman 58),
Gudjohnsen (Geremi 78), Robben
Subs Not Used Cudicini, Cole
Booked Robben
Goals Robben 72
Everton
Martyn, Hibbert, Pistone
(McFadden 84), Stubbs, Watson (Campbell 80), Weir, Cahill, Gravesen, Kilbane,
Osman (Chadwick 90), Bent
Subs Not Used Turner, Yobo
Booked Kilbane, Gravesen, Bent
Goals
Attendance
41,965
Referee M. Riley