Terry off as Blues drop points

It all went wrong for the Stamford Bridge side, who had been expected to claim the victory at Goodison Park which would have seen them reclaim top spot in the table.

But from the moment Terry was sent off in the first half for a high tackle on Leon Osman, the best-laid plans of the west Londoners were in tatters. Everton deserved their point, and thought they had won it with a disallowed Steven Pienaar effort near the end.

But Terry's absence had swung the game Everton's way as they ended Chelsea's 100% away league record this term.

Even Everton die-hards were not expecting a shock result, and Chelsea's first attack had an ominous look about it. The ball fell for Ashley Cole on the corner of the box, and his drive deflected off Tony Hibbert and gave Tim Howard a difficult, acrobatic save to make.

Chelsea began to take control, maintaining possession with crisp passing as they forced Everton back. Nicolas Anelka hit a post from close range, but was adjudged to have handled in the build-up. Chelsea had a firm grip on proceedings, but the game changed dramatically after 36 minutes when Terry was red-carded.

Referee Phil Dowd was no more than 15 yards from a Terry tackle that was high and caught Osman on the ankle. In the current climate, the official probably felt he had to act decisively.

As Everton pressed forward Petr Cech had to hurl himself backwards to touch away a Hibbert cross deflected dangerously under the bar off Frank Lampard. A minute later Cech was needed at his best again to touch over a Joleon Lescott header.

Leighton Baines then fired in a low cross from the left, and Marouane Fellaini's flick went just wide of the far post. Mikel Arteta then curled a free-kick just over the bar. Everton were denied a goal with six minutes left when Cech touched away an Osman shot from Fellaini's cross.

The goalkeeper managed to get his hands on to the ball as it rolled towards the line, seconds before Pienaar arrived to bundle the ball home. Referee Dowd ruled out the goal, deciding that Cech had control of the ball before it was kicked out of his hands.