As the disgruntled Chelsea faithful trudged out of Hill Dickinson Stadium with 20 minutes left, the Everton fans serenaded their players for 20 minutes post-match. The Toffees were excellent against Arsenal last week at Emirates Stadium, but this was even better.
The temptation is to pick out a few players, but that would miss the point. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is a Chelsea reject, Beto and Thierno Barry would have been considered far too low grade to be viable by their opponents.
All the way through the squad, with just a few notable exceptions, on paper and certainly on the balance sheet, Chelsea should be streets ahead of Everton. But they were not on the day and with only seven games left there are only two points separating them.
At the match, it was hard not to put this down to the effect of an experienced manager who knows how to get the best out of his charges. He also knows how to build a team spirit and is clearly liked and respected by those working for him.
Europe is now a real possibility for Everton and for once they are even looking forward to Liverpool visiting in a few weeks’ time.
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