CHELSEA ARE ON FIRE

Premier League leaders Chelsea claimed a
priceless last-gasp win over Everton as an injury-
time goal from John Terry gave them a 1-0
victory.
In an entertaining encounter, which saw both
sides go close, a draw looked likely and
deserved for Roberto Martinez's side as Chelsea
looked set to drop points at Stamford Bridge for
only the third time this season.
However, two minutes into added time Frank
Lampard's free-kick was deflected into his own
net by Tim Howard after captain Terry got a
slight touch.
Everton had gone close themselves, with Petr
Cech saving well from Leon Osman in the first
half, and then the Czech was at full stretch to
deny the England midfielder on the hour.
Chelsea were also not without their chances and
Howard pulled of a fine double save, firstly
from Eden Hazard and then the rebound from
Branislav Ivanovic.
Both sides made changes looking for the win
with Fernando Torres and Andre Schurrle thrown
on by Jose Mourinho, while Martinez introduced
Ross Barkley and Aiden McGeady.
Another substitute Ramires - who came on at the
break for Oscar - almost won it when he flashed
a shot just wide in the 90th minute, but then
Chelsea did win it via Lampard's free-kick which
Terry claimed to get a touch to.
It was a timely intervention from the skipper,
who returned following a three-game absence
with a gluteal muscle problem.
Chelsea had won once in his absence, but they
now travel to Galatasaray for the UEFA
Champions League last-16 first leg with Didier
Drogba's side on Wednesday after a morale-
boosting victory.
Mourinho's unbeaten Premier League home
record extended to 74 games as luck was on
Chelsea's side.
With Romelu Lukaku prevented from facing his
parent club, Martinez had selected Lacina Traore
for his first Premier League start, only for the
giant Ivorian to withdraw after feeling his
hamstring in the warm-up - replaced by Steven
Naismith.
The visitors started well and would not allow
their hosts to settle, disrupting their rhythm
with Leon Osman, James McCarthy and Gareth
Barry breaking up play in midfield.
When Chelsea got beyond the Toffees trio, they
encountered another defensive wall in Sylvain
Distin and Phil Jagielka, who acrobatically
cleared a menacing Hazard cross.
When that rearguard was breached, Samuel Eto'o
wrong-footed Distin and shot left-footed, only
for Howard to save.
Kevin Mirallas miscued a shooting chance from
the edge of the area and Willian scuffed a shot
at Howard as the half closed with Everton the
better side.
Chelsea's playmakers struggled in the first half
and Oscar was sacrificed at half-time for
Ramires - but still Everton looked dangerous.
Osman's shot from the edge of the area clipped
Mirallas, and Cech scrambled the ball round the
post with a good save.
In an open game, Chelsea had three
opportunities in quick succession following a
corner.
First Hazard's shot was parried by Howard. Eto'o
tried to direct his headed follow-up across goal
and into the top corner, but served only to miss
the target completely and the goalkeeper then
denied Ivanovic.
Torres then replaced Willian and Eto'o pushed
wide right before later making way for Schurrle,
but still Chelsea were struggling to find the
incisive pass, while Everton were playing like
visitors, by having just scraps to feed off, unlike
in the first half when they were marginally on
top.
Chelsea continued to forge forward and Torres
blasted into Hazard and wide when the ball
would not quite sit for the Belgian and then the
Spain striker fired wildly wide.
Terry stood firm as Barkley ran at him in the
Chelsea penalty area and Ramires fired narrowly
wide at the other end.
Finally the deadlock was broken in added time
after Ramires and Jagielka collided and the
Chelsea man was awarded a free-kick. Lampard
whipped in the ball and Terry got the slightest of
touches as Howard failed to deal with it and saw
the ball deflect in off his arm.