Late strike from Ivory Coast striker helps Chelsea escape with a 1-1 draw against Everton in the FA Cup
Late strike from Ivory Coast striker helps Chelsea escape with a 1-1 draw against Everton in the FA Cup
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Holders Chelsea came from behind to force a 1-1 draw as the FA Cup fourth round kicked off on Saturday.
A goal from Salomon Kalou on 75 minutes saved Chelsea's blushes after the Toffees had taken the lead through a 62nd-minute effort from Louis Saha.
"It was a difficult match because Everton put a lot of strong pressure on us all the time," Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti told ESPN.
"We showed good spirit. The second half we didn't play well but the spirit was good." Everton boss David Moyes said his side were unlucky to have conceded an equaliser at a time when they had started to get on top.
"Their goal was against the run of play, we had control in the second half and I thought the boys played well today," Moyes said.
"I thought we had more chances in the second half, we were well organised and I didn't think we would concede a goal."
Last season's double-winners should have taken the lead on 30 minutes, when neat interplay between Drogba and Brazilian Ramires sent Anelka racing through on goal. Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard was equal to the challenge however, advancing swiftly off his line and turning behind for a corner.
Aftrer a barren first half, Chelsea's uncharacteristic vulnerability from set-pieces proved costly in the 62nd minute, when Saha headed the Blues into the lead from a Leighton Baines corner.
With the possibility of defeat looming, Chelsea hit back with a goal on the counter, sweeping up field after an Everton corner came to nothing and scoring through Kalou on 75 minutes.
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