Simms strikes late as Everton earn valuable draw at Chelsea

LONDON: Ellis Simms grabbed a last-gasp equalizer as struggling Everton boosted their fight for Premier League survival with a dramatic 2-2 draw against Chelsea on Saturday. Sean Dyche’s side were moments away from a damaging defeat until Simms scored his first goal for the club to stun Stamford Bridge into silence. Everton’s show of defiance came after they twice trailed in west London.

Joao Felix had put Chelsea ahead early in the second half with his second goal since joining on loan from Atletico Madrid in January. Abdoulaye Doucoure’s equalizer was followed by Kai Havertz’s third goal in his last three appearances as the German converted penalty in the closing stages. Simms was on loan at Championship side Sunderland earlier this season, but the 22-year-old showed he could be Everton’s savior in the relegation battle with his crucial leveller.

Everton are now two points clear of the relegation zone after extending their unbeaten run to three games. It was a bitter pill for Chelsea to swallow as Graham Potter’s team squandered the chance to clinch a fourth successive win in all competitions. The match was marred by homophobic chanting from Everton fans, who could be heard singing “Chelsea rent boy.” It was announced in January that clubs could be charged by England’s Football Association if their fans sang the offensive song.

The UK’s Crown Prosecution Service defined the term as a hate crime last year. That was an ugly side to a memorable match that started with Chelsea’s Mateo Kovacic volleying just wide from the edge of the area. Chelsea were monopolizing possession but Jordan Pickford kept Everton on level terms with a brave save as the keeper dived to block at Felix’s feet.