- Terry equalizes in 98th minute
- Chelsea fought back from 2-0 down
- Blues unbeaten under Hiddink
Chelsea and Everton drew 3-3 in a classic encounter at Stamford Bridge on Saturday which saw Ramiro Funes Mori score what looked to be the winner in the first minute of stoppage time in west London, but John Terry equalized controversially in the 98th minute to snag a point for the Blues.
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The Toffees had raced into a 2-0 lead early in the second half after a Terry own goal and a Kevin Mirallas finish, but the Blues came storming back with Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas scoring in quick succession to set up a barnstorming finish.
In the first minute of stoppage time Funes Mori poked home at the back post after Chelsea’s defense fell asleep, but then Terry popped up right at the death to deny Everton a first win at Chelsea since 1994.
With the point Chelsea have 25 for the season and remain in 14th, Everton stay in 11th with 29 points.
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In the first half USMNT goalkeeper Tim Howard continued his stunning recent form as he denied Willian with a brilliant reflex stop to tip it over.
At the other end Everton went close twice in quick succession with Mirallas rightly having a goal disallowed for being offside, then Ross Barkley’s shot was deflected into Bryan Oviedo’s path but the Costa Rican scuffed his effort wide.
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Chelsea’s center back duo of Kurt Zouma and Terry were kept busy by Romelu Lukaku and Mirallas’ smart turn and shot from 25-yards out was tipped around the post by Thibaut Courtois towards the end of an even first half.
Less than five minutes into the second half Everton took the lead with Lukaku holding the ball up brilliantly and slotting the ball wide to Barkley who teed up Baines to smash a cross into the danger box which struck both of Terry’s legs and squirmed past Courtois. 1-0 to the Toffees.
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Everton were buoyed by going ahead and moments later they could have been 2-0 up as Mirallas played in Barkley but his shot smashed against the near post and went out of play. Mirallas soon made it 2-0 as he swiveled and smashed home past a diving Courtois to send the away fans wild.
Howard then made another fine stop as Fabregas flicked a looping effort towards goal with his right foot and the New Jersey native clawed it away brilliantly. Incredible stop.
Soon though, Howard was involved in a massive mix-up as a long ball over the top caught out Phil Jagielka and Howard with the latter missing his kick and Costa slotting home into an empty net. 2-1.
[ MORE: Full lineups, stats, box score ]
Minutes later it was 2-2 with Fabregas clipping the ball into Costa and latching on to a clever flick from the Spanish international before getting a deflection on his shot to beat Howard. 2-2 and Stamford Bridge was rocking with Roman Abramovich smiling and applauding his side.
Late on both teams had chances as Cesar Azpilicueta’s cross was missed by Costa from close range and then Mirallas went clean through but fluffed his chance with Courtois saving with his legs.
However, Everton boss Roberto Martinez was soon punching the air with delight as Gerard Deulofeu’s corner was first cleared but his follow-up cross found Funes Mori unmarked at the back post and the Argentine defender poked home in the first minute of stoppage time. Everton thought they had won it.
Cometh the hour, cometh the man. There was a remarkable end to a remarkable game as Terry -- who looked to be in an offside position -- flicked home nonchalantly to grab a point and send the home fans wild.