Everton ahead at the break v Chelsea

Everton 1 Chelsea 0

Patched-up Everton found themselves ahead at the break in their FA Cup fourth round tie with Chelsea at Goodison Park.

Chelsea had dominated the opening spell with possession football as Everton found themselves chasing desperately for even a touch of the ball.

But they increased their work rate and went ahead on 36 minutes when James McFadden headed home his third goal of the season.

Everton needed to up their tempo to at least make Chelsea work for their possession and slowly the home side got themselves into the game.

Osman saw a shot deflected for a corner as Everton had a flurry of setpieces, while Crespo saw another long-range effort saved by Nigel Martyn, making his 100th appearance for the Toffees.

Nuno Valente and Ferguson combined on 35 minutes to provide Kevin Kilbane with a header that was saved by Cudicini.

A minute later the same pair again linked and this time, when Valente’s cross came in from the left, James McFadden rose to send a dipping header into the bottom corner.

On 38 minutes, Williams Gallas was booked for sending McFadden spinning into the air. Chelsea responded with a Robben free-kick from 30 yards that Martyn pulled down from under the bar.