Chelsea left it late to secure a crucial 1-0 win against Everton at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League this afternoon.
John Terry turned home Frank Lampard's free kick as the game went into stoppage time.
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In a first half of few real chances, Chelsea probed with intent through the likes of Willian, Eden Hazard and Oscar, but Roberto Martinez's side were in miserly mood in defence.
Steven Naismith replaced Lacina Traore minutes before kickoff with the Ivorian suffering a hamstring problem, and that has affected Everton's gameplan, with the Socttish forward unable to make a real mark against Terry and Gary Cahill.
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Samuel Eto'o had Chelsea's best chance of the first half on 36 minutes when he exchanged passes with Hazard inside the area before firing a low effort in at Tim Howard's legs.
Terry rose highest from a Chelsea corner five minutes before the break, but the former England captain could only nod wide of Howard's left-hand post.
Everton went up the gears with a counter-attack towards the end of the half as James McCarthy got it back from Naismith after feeding his teammate wide left.
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However, the Irishman was charged down on the edge of the box in a promising position, before Kevin Mirallas scuffed an effort in a similar area moments later.
Howard made two excellent stops in quick succession to deny Hazard and Branislav Ivanovic after earlier keeping out Lampard after the midfielder had burst inside the box and shot with his left foot.
Ramires went close late on when the Brazilian let fly with a fizzing long-range effort, which flew just wide of Howard's post.
With the game seemingly set for a goalless draw, the old guard of Lampard and Terry combined to give Jose Mourinho's side what could prove to be a pivotal win in the hunt for the league title.
Paul Gorst
