Chelsea enhanced their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League after striker Nicolas Jackson ended a 13-game goal drought to clinch a crucial 1-0 victory over Everton on Saturday.
Jackson found the net in the first half at Stamford Bridge, scoring for the first time since December.
The often-criticised Senegalese striker’s 10th goal of the season proved enough to lift Enzo Maresca’s side into fourth place in the Premier League.
It marked a second consecutive league win for Chelsea, a vital boost to their bid for a top-five finish.
The Blues could slip to fifth if Newcastle defeat third-bottom Ipswich later on Saturday, but Jackson’s winner ensured they remain firmly in the hunt to return to Europe’s elite competition with just four matches remaining.
Despite the positive result, it was another tense afternoon for Maresca, who has faced scrutiny over his cautious tactics.
The Italian, who recently insisted that his debut campaign at Chelsea should not be deemed a failure, has often received a lukewarm reception from frustrated supporters.
Last weekend, Maresca barely acknowledged Chelsea’s 2-1 win at Fulham, heading straight down the tunnel at full-time — a move interpreted as a response to growing criticism.
The former Leicester City manager maintains he deserves credit for his work at Stamford Bridge, particularly given that Chelsea finished sixth under Mauricio Pochettino last season.
Although the Blues are yet to hit top form, they are now within reach of an uplifting end to the season, with Champions League qualification and a potential UEFA Conference League triumph still on the table.
Chelsea signalled their intent early when Noni Madueke raced clear down the left flank, cutting inside and forcing Jordan Pickford into a fine save with a low curling shot.
The hosts eventually made their dominance count in the 27th minute through a well-executed goal.
Everton striker Beto was dispossessed near the halfway line, allowing Enzo Fernandez to thread a pinpoint pass to Jackson, who turned sharply before rifling a precise low drive into the bottom corner from 20 yards out.
After a difficult campaign, disrupted by a hamstring injury, Jackson’s strike was a welcome moment of redemption.
Despite being largely outplayed during the first half, Everton almost equalised before the interval when Vitalii Mykolenko found Abdoulaye Doucoure, only for the midfielder to head wide from a promising position.
Everton’s record when trailing at half-time away from home offered little encouragement, having failed to win in their last 61 such league matches since a victory at West Bromwich Albion in 2015.
Pickford was called into action early in the second half, again denying Madueke, who attempted an effort from a tight angle.
Everton posed more of a threat after the break, with Beto testing Robert Sanchez with a powerful low shot, while Idrissa Gueye missed a good opportunity, firing straight at the Chelsea keeper.
In added time, Carlos Alcaraz’s cross found Dwight McNeil, but Sanchez made an agile save to preserve Chelsea’s narrow lead.
Everton’s wastefulness ultimately proved costly, allowing Chelsea to hold on for a vital three points, much to Maresca’s evident relief.
