Everton 1-0 Chelsea: Sigurdsson penalty punishes Mendy error

 

Gylfi Sigurdsson converted from the spot to punish a rash Edouard Mendy challenge as Everton toppled Chelsea on Merseyside.

Chelsea missed the chance to move top of the Premier League table as Gylfi Sigurdsson's penalty secured Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti a 1-0 win over his former club. 

Ancelotti endured a miserable return to Stamford Bridge last season with his current employers, Everton going down 4-0 in the capital. 

However, he came out on top in a second meeting with Frank Lampard, who was part of the Chelsea squad who secured a domestic double under the Italian coach in the 2009-10 season. 

The only goal of the game arrived in the 22nd minute thanks to an early Christmas gift from Edouard Mendy, the goalkeeper needlessly charging into Dominic Calvert-Lewin as the striker attempted to get on the end of his own flick-on from Jordan Pickford's long punt. 

Sigurdsson calmly rolled in his attempt from the spot for his first league goal in 17 games, much to the delight of the 2,000-strong crowd inside Goodison Park. 

Chelsea responded brightly to the setback of falling behind, Reece James striking a post with a low drive that Pickford appeared to get a slight touch to, while Kurt Zouma – who spent a season on loan at Everton earlier in his career – planted a close-range attempt straight at the England goalkeeper. 

Richarlison failed to capitalise on a clear shooting opportunity before the break for the hosts, slipping as he struck the ball with his left foot to make Mendy's life easier. 

Sigurdsson went close with a free-kick early in the second half and was then denied the chance to take another penalty when a VAR check found Calvert-Lewin offside prior to being bundled over by Ben Chilwell. 

Still, one goal proved enough as Chelsea failed to find an equaliser, despite Lampard sending on Tammy Abraham in place of the ineffective Kai Havertz to partner Olivier Giroud up top.

Mason Mount saw a free-kick kept out by a post as Everton held firm, in the process securing a third successive home win over their opponents as they moved into the top half.