FA Cup: Everton knock out Chelsea

Chelsea’s season went from bad to worse after they were shocked by Everton in a fourth round FA Cup replay at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

The reigning Premier League champions, who sit outside the top four in the title race, were bundled out of the cup on penalties, with Everton winning 4-3 after Leighton Baines’ brilliant 119th minute equaliser forced the match to spot kicks.

Everton started well, with Leon Osman firing at goal twice in the early stages, while Phil Jagielka’s defensive header nearly went into the net, with the former Sheffield United player grateful to see it hit the post.

Chelsea could have had a penalty just before half-time but instead of a spot-kick, Ramires was given a yellow card for diving.

In the second half the hosts exerted their dominance and could have scored through Frank Lampard, twice, and Branislav Ivanovic.

Everton thought they had a late winner, when Marouane Fellaini finished a set-piece by converting after his initial shot had been saved.

But the Belgian was offside and it gave the hosts a chance to regroup, which they did, before taking the lead in extra time through Lampard who capitalised on good work from Nicolas Anelka to smash home a 103th minute goal.

Everton looked down and out and without a substitution to make, lacked inspiration.

But Baines delivered for his side in the last minute of injury time, blasting a free-kick into the top right-hand corner which left Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech with no chance.

It took the game to penalties and Baines quickly went from hero to villain, hitting a weak penalty which was saved by Cech, just after Lampard had kick-started the shoot-out with a goal.

Didier Drogba and Jagielka both scored before Anelka had his effort saved by Tim Howard, and Arteta levelled the score at 2-2.

Michael Essien and John Heitinga both scored, but Ashley Cole could not handle the pressure, blazing over with his side’s last penalty.

It left Everton skipper Phil Neville to step up and score the winning penalty, delighting the away fans and sending the Toffees through to the fifth round.