Everton 2-1 Chelsea
Louis Saha: two goals and a missed penalty
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Wednesday, 10, Feb 2010 10:49
By James Christie
Chelsea's title challenge suffered a knock at Goodison Park as two Louis Saha goals condemned them to a surprise 2-1 defeat against Everton.
The result means that Chelsea now only enjoy a one-point lead over second-placed Manchester United, who earned a point at Villa Park.
But for a missed Louis Saha penalty it could have been a heavier defeat as Everton were worthy winners.
Chelsea opened the scoring in the 17th minute, Didier Drogba heading on Petr Cech's goal-kick and Florent Malouda drilling the ball into the corner net from just inside the penalty box.
They looked good value for their lead but Saha celebrated signing a new contract by heading an equaliser in the 33rd minute, reacting more quickly than a sleepy John Terry to a Landon Donovan corner.
A blocked save from Cech denied Saha a second goal after more good work from Donovan as Chelsea tried to survive until half-time.
They succeeded. even though Ricardo Carvalho fouled Saha to concede a penalty in the 44th minute.
Chelsea's half-hearted objections to the decision were as tame as Saha's missed spot kick - Cech could probably have saved the effort if he'd thrown his head-guard at it.
The Toffees continued to take the game to the league leaders in the second half - warming far more to the task than Arsenal had last weekend.
Chelsea's evening became even more difficult when Ashley Cole limped off following a challenge from Donovan.
Another error of judgement from John Terry, stripped of the England captaincy and seemingly his assurance, allowed Saha to get on the end of a long ball in the 75th minute to hit a shot which went through Cech's hands and into the net.
Didier Drogba headed powerfully against the Everton bar three minutes later and it was the closest Chelsea came to equalising.