This was a blistering contest to defy belief but, in the cold light of day, an entertaining stalemate may illustrate just why neither of these sides feels quite equipped to mount a plausible pursuit of the top four. Chelsea will take heart in extending their unbeaten record under Guus Hiddink to six matches but, even after John Terry’s equaliser eight minutes into stoppage time at the end, they have won only one league game in that sequence.
Everton, with too many draws of their own this term, ended deflated and aggrieved.