Chelsea return to Champions League places with narrow win over Everton

Chelsea climbed back into the Champions League places with a narrow 1-0 victory over Everton at Stamford Bridge.

The win lifts the Blues to fourth in the Premier League, level on points with Nottingham Forest and one point ahead of Newcastle, who face Ipswich later on Saturday.

With Forest and Aston Villa in FA Cup semi-final action this weekend, Chelsea will maintain at least a top-five position until Thursday, when Forest host Brentford.

The match-winning goal came from striker Nicolas Jackson, who ended a 13-match goalless streak dating back to December.

In the 27th minute, Jackson unleashed an instinctive 20-yard shot that flew beyond Jordan Pickford and nestled into the bottom corner.

Despite being the dominant side, Chelsea couldn’t put the game to bed.

With the race for Champions League spots intensifying and challenging fixtures ahead, there were tense moments as Everton grew stronger in the final stages.

Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez came to the rescue with crucial saves, denying both Beto and Dwight McNeil with low shots to his right.

The Blues will face league leaders Liverpool at Stamford Bridge next Sunday.

Following that, they’ll visit Newcastle, another Champions League contender, before hosting Manchester United and wrapping up their season with a trip to Nottingham Forest.

Everton, on the other hand, have won just one of their last nine matches and remain in 13th place.