Forty minutes later, and with Everton enjoying the most dominant spell of the game, came a chance Alan Stubbs will still be having nightmares about tonight. Thomas Gravesen and Leon Osman worked a short corner that allowed the latter to pick out the unmarked Stubbs with a delicate chip from the touchline. But facing an inviting goal, the otherwise excellent centre-half powered his header way off course and stared at the heavens in dis-belief. Gudjohnsen, who had a first half shot smothered off the line by the outstanding Tony Hibbert, then wasted his own glorious invitation when he skied Terry's knock-down high into the former Shed End. But with Robben a constant threat on his first Premiership start Chelsea always had the ability to conjure something out of nothing and so it transpired with just 18 minutes left. The Dutch winger may look like a reincarnation of Lee Harvey Oswald but there was no doubting his role as the assassin here. Everton, with their midfield sitting much closer to their defence than usual, had given Chelsea no room to work their way behind the visiting back-line all game. But as they pushed forward in pursuit of the opener from their own free-kick in the 72nd minute they offered space to Chelsea for the first time and were instantly punished. Ricardo Carvalho's clearance was cushioned by Mateja Kezman to Gudjohnsen, and his first time ball gave Robben the freedom to exploit the lack of pace in Everton's central defence, hold off the growing threat of David Weir, and lift a nonchalant finish over Nigel Martyn's dive. Martyn had earlier denied the Dutch international an even finer goal when his dipping volley from 20 yards, having lifted the ball over Weir's head and collected, was tipped onto the bar by the Everton keeper. It was Cech, however, who had to produce the final intervention to prevent Kevin Campbell winning a deserved point in the 85th minute when he pressurised the substitute into glancing a cross from the tireless Marcus Bent wide. If ever the old cliche about taking consolation out of defeat was true, then it was here. Everton may have gained more reward at Old Trafford in August but Stamford Bridge witnessed the superior performance. Moyes's team are not only defying expectations four months into the season, they are improving too. Well they must be if Mourinho is an admirer. CHELSEA (4-3-3): Cech; Ferreira, Carvalho, Terry, Babayaro; Tiago (Kezman 57), Makelele, Lampard; Duff (Huth 82), Gudjohnsen (Geremi 78), Robben. Subs: Cudicini, Cole.
BOOKING: Robben (dissent) EVERTON (4-5-1): Martyn; Hibbert, Weir, Stubbs, Pistone (McFadden 84); Osman (Chadwick 89), Watson (Campbell 80), Gravesen, Cahill, Kilbane; Bent. Subs: Turner, Yobo.
BOOKINGS: Gravesen, Kilbane (fouls), Bent (dissent) REFEREE: Mike Riley ATT: 41,965 NEXT GAME: Arsenal v Everton, Carling Cup fourth round, tomorrow, 7.45pm | 
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