Everton showed tremendous spirit to twice battle from behind and earn a 2-2 draw against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Abdoulaye Doucoure and Ellis Simms were both on target for the Toffees as they picked up a precious point in the battle to avoid relegation.
Everton spent much of the first half on the backfoot but limited Chelsea to few goalscoring chances. In the 20th minute, Toffees keeper saved from Joao Felix before making another stop from the Portuguese a minute later.
Dyche’s side struggled to create any real opportunities of their own, with Dwight McNeil firing a long-range effort well off target.
Chelsea started the second period the better with Kai Havertz having a header well saved by Pickford. But Everton finally were breached in the 52nd minute when the liveware Felix fired an effort into the far corner.
The Blues then had a steep uphill task if they were going to get anything from the game. The only way they looked like equalising was from a set-piece - and that’s exactly how the equaliser when engineered in the 68th minute. James Tarkowski headed Dwight McNeil’s corner back across goal and Doucoure glanced home.
However, the visitors would be level for just eight minutes and were the archetects of their own downfall. Chelsea wing-back Reece James skipped inside the box, with Ben Godfrey clipping him before James Tarkowski committed a foul. Haverz stepped up to take the penalty and kept his cool to put Graham Potter’s outfit back ahead.
Yet Everton would display the fight and heart Dyche has been demanding to pick up a crucial draw. Doucoure set substitute Simms on his way and he kept his cool to beat Chelsea keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga and score his first Premier League goal of his career.
The draw moved the Toffees back up to 15th and are now two points clear of the bottom three.
Here’s how we rated the Everton players.
Everton spent much of the first half on the backfoot but limited Chelsea to few goalscoring chances. In the 20th minute, Toffees keeper saved from Joao Felix before making another stop from the Portuguese a minute later.
9. Abdoulaye Doucoure - 8
Showed plenty of energy in the first half and looked to squeeze Chelsea. Flicked home the equaliser then a deft touch set away Simms perfectly for Everton’s second.
10. Amadou Onana - 6
Got back to quell a Chelsea counter-attack although sloppy at times in the first half. Improved in the second half.
11. Dwight McNeil - 6
Forced on the backfoot for much of the first half. Fired one effort over and was then booked for a late foul. Had one cross-cum-shot just go wide in the second half.
12. Demarai Gray - 6
Battled away up top without any service and won several free-kicks in the first half. Similar in the second half.