Chelsea 1-0 Everton result - Nicolas Jackson ends 13-game goal drought as Enzo Maresca’s side boost their Champions League hopes at Stamford Bridge

Nicolas Jackson ended his 13-game goal drought in style as Chelsea bolstered their push to qualify for next season’s UEFA Champions League with a 1-0 victory at home to Everton.

The 23-year-old rifled a superb 27th-minute effort beyond Jordan Pickford to net his first goal since December 15.

Enzo Maresca’s men were dominant for long spells with Pickford reacting smartly to deny Noni Madueke on a number of occasions.

The visitors rode their luck but finally pressed for an equaliser late on, with substitute Dwight McNeil having a volley magnificently kept out by Robert Sanchez.

The result sees Chelsea climb to fourth spot, one point behind Manchester City in third but having played a game more than their other European qualification rivals Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United.  

Next up, Chelsea travel to Djurgardens for the first leg of their UEFA Europa League semi-final on Thursday night before hosting Liverpool on Sunday. 

Everton, who sit 13th ahead of the rest of the weekend’s action, welcome Ipswich for their penultimate match at Goodison Park on Saturday. 

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The former Chelsea star says The Blues needed to win this to keep their UCL hopes alive - in his opinion - and they need another three victories from their final matches to make it into the top five.

"Psychologically, sitting fourth [currently] is massive for the club and they have the Conference League to look forward to and [they are in] a good position for the run-in," said Cole.

"When you see the players celebrate like that, you know it's been a tough afternoon.

"Everton, to their credit, came here and made it difficult and had their chances at the end.

"But it's a good, good win for Chelsea."

Enzo Maresca’s men picked up three precious points as they head into the final furlong of a tight battle between several clubs for the UEFA Champions League places.

The Blues continued their excellent form over Everton and are now 30 home Premier League matches unbeaten against The Toffees.

Chelsea are also undefeated in their last five top-flight games and will be delighted to have Jackson firing again with crunch PL fixtures against Liverpool (H), Newcastle (a), Man United (H) and Nottingham Forest (a) still to come.

However, the peripheral Cole Palmer has now failed to net in his last 17 games across all competitions (12 in the league).

As for Everton, the Merseysiders are safe after the inspired intervention of David Moyes, but have dipped off as of late, losing three of their last five and winning just once in nine matches.

Chelsea 1-0 Everton.

The Toffees had a similar game-plan in the Merseyside derby ast Anfield; stay in the game and then push late on.

It didn't work against Liverpool and it's looking like it won't work here either.

Dewsbury-Hall and George on.

Palmer and Jackson off.

Four minutes added.

McNeil's volley from a left-wing cross is magnificently pushed away by Sanchez.

Jackson bundles in the rebound as Pickford parries Cucurella's thunderous 25-yarder straight to the striker.

The Everton goalkeeper is relieved to see the flag go up for offside and that is quickly confirmed.

Still 1-0.

The home supporters will have enjoyed much of this performance today, but Everton have grown into it in the last 10 minutes and it could be a nervy finale unless Chelsea snare a second.

Chelsea will climb to fourth place above Nottingham Forest on goal difference having played a game more.

Newcastle can rise to third if they beat Ipswich later today which would then see Chelsea down to fifth, Forest drop to sixth with Villa seventh and Man City down to fourth.

Everton will be 13th but could fall to as low as 17th if results go against them over the rest of the weekend.

Sancho on for Madueke.

Garner hovers over a left-wing corner but plants his delivery straight into the unchallenged arms of a grateful Sanchez.

The resulting right-wing corner is flicked high into the air with Cucurella left free to glance a tame header straight at Pickford.

Madueke slaloms in from the left, glides past two and strokes a low shot towards the far corner that Pickford tips past the post.

The changes and the fact Chelsea haven't made their utter dominance count on the scoreboard has given The Toffees a major lift heading into the final stanza here.

Caicedo is back in the midfield now and he immediately wins the ball in Chelsea territory and drives through the centre of the pitch before dragging a 25-yarder wide.

Gueye waits patiently for a dropping ball and executes a super 25-yard volley but it's too close to Sanchez in the end.

Lavia off, James on.