Chelsea fell to a 2-0 defeat away to Everton in the Barclays Premier League on Saturday afternoon.
Goals from Steven Pienaar and Denis Stracqualursi ensured that the Toffees moved back into the top half of the table, while Chelsea lost fourth place to Arsenal, who won at Sunderland.
Everton hit the front in the fifth minute, as Pienaar controlled a loose ball that had spun into the Chelsea box with his chest and drove a strike home from six yards.
In general, the visitors were in command for much of the first period, but failed to level prior to the break. Daniel Sturridge had the best of the chances, his effort from Juan Mata’s ball across the box deflected over the bar, while Frank Lampard, again from a Mata pull-back, shot wide from just inside the Everton box.
Chelsea pushed for an equaliser during the early stages of the second period, but the Toffees’ defence comfortably held firm.
Everton’s confidence levels increased as the half wore on, and they went two-up with just under 20 minutes remaining. A sliding tackle from Phil Neville on Ashley Cole released Landon Donavan, who cut inside before feeding a superb reverse ball into the path of Stracqualursi, and Petr Cech was unable to keep the Argentine striker’s effort out.
Chelsea, despite controlling much of the possession, again failed to seriously threaten Everton’s goal towards the end of the game, allowing the hosts to coast to victory.