Chelsea edged back into the UEFA Champions League places with a one-goal victory over Everton at Stamford Bridge. The win moves the Blues up to fourth in the Premier League, level on points with Nottingham Forest and a point ahead of Newcastle, who play Ipswich later on Saturday. With Forest and Aston Villa in FA Cup semi-final action this weekend, Chelsea will hold on to a top-five spot at least until Thursday, when Forest host Brentford. The crucial three points were sealed by striker Nicolas Jackson, who ended a 13-match goalless run stretching back to December. He drilled an instinctive 20-yard effort beyond Jordan Pickford and into the bottom corner in the 27th minute.
Chelsea climbed back into contention for next season's UEFA Champions League with a 1-0 home win over Everton in the Premier League on Saturday (Apr 26) thanks to a fine first-half strike by Nicolas Jackson.
The striker, assisted by Enzo Fernandez, drove low into the bottom corner past a diving Jordan Pickford in the 27th minute for his first goal in four months.
The result lifted Enzo Maresca's Chelsea to fourth in the table on 60 points, one point behind Manchester City who are in FA Cup action this weekend. Everton are 13th.
The home side should have had more but were thwarted by a stubborn defence and Pickford, who kept out a series of shots, notably from Noni Madueke.
Cole Palmer buzzed round the Everton box but his three-month goal drought continued as once again Chelsea failed to capitalise on a good start.
The home side suffered a tense final 15 minutes with Everton, sensing their nerves, forging forward.
Maresca, serving a one-match ban, watched anxiously from the press box, occasionally shouting towards the pitch and dugout as the clock ticked down.
Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez who had turned aside a good chance from Beto in the 63rd minute held on to a shot from Idrissa Gueye minutes later.
And he pulled off a fingertip save in the 88th minute to deny Dwight McNeil and keep his side in front. The Premier League's top five qualify for the Champions League.
