Chelsea and Everton played out a 3-3 draw in dramatic circumstances at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
A 98th-minute equaliser from John Terry broke the hearts of the travelling Toffees who dominated large sections of the match before the Blues fought back.
The opening goal came five minutes into the second half when Leighton Baines low rifled cross was diverted into the Chelsea net by John Terry, six minutes before Kevin Mirallas took a neat first touch from a Baines pass before firing beyond Thibaut Courtois with his left foot on the turn.
Guus Hiddink's men made headway into the deficit on 64 minutes when Diego Costa raced onto a long aerial ball from Cesc Fabregas, beat off Phil Jagielka and skipped past an onrushing Tim Howard to slot home into an empty net.
Chelsea were on level terms soon after when Fabregas exchanged passes with Costa before his shot deflected off Muhamed Besic and beyond Howard.
There was further drama to be enjoyed in West London and it came on 90 minutes when Gerard Deulofeu's floating ball from the right flank resulted in Ramiro Funes Mori volleying home at the back post.
However, the home again fought back when Terry got on the end of a goalmouth scramble, back heeling Oscar's header home, despite being offside and the goal coming after the seven minutes of advertised injury time.
Nonetheless, the result stood which saw Chelsea remain 14th having not lost since in their past six outings while Roberto Martinez's stayed 11th after a third successive draw.
MATCH OVERVIEW
Chelsea: 3 (Diego Costa 64', Cesc Fabregas 66', John Terry 90+8')
Everton: 3 (John Terry (OG) 50', Kevin Mirallas 56', Ramiro Funes Mori 90')
Stamford Bridge, London - 41,633
TALKING POINTS
- Should Terry's goal have stood? He was standing offside when Oscar got a touch to the ball. Were Chelsea lucky to draw this game?
- Can Everton feel harshly done by? Or did they simply switch off at the death?
WHAT'S NEXT?
Chelsea head to league leaders Arsenal on Sunday as Everton prepare to welcome Swansea City on the same day.
TWITTER INSIGHT
Terry: 'It was a tireless effort from the boys.' https://t.co/6tXyHFOHYgpic.twitter.com/u0Fhym9ZqP
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) January 17, 2016Disappointed not to get the win, but the team dug deep to come away with a result. #thanksToffeespic.twitter.com/nexEC29uPe
— Gerard Deulofeu (@gerardeulofeu) January 16, 2016
QUOTES CORNER
Chelsea's Hiddink on his side's showing:
"I'm very happy with the spirit, ambition and attitude. Everton are a good team and given the fact we were down it's a point gained I think."
Everton boss Martinez was aggrieved after the game:
"I don't think you can call it controversy. It's an incredible injustice, an incredible mistake."
STATS SPECIALS
*Thanks to Opta
5 - Diego Costa has scored 5 goals in 5 competitive games under Guus Hiddink, this after netting 4 in 21 apps before his arrival. Impact.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 16, 20163 - John Terry is the 3rd player to score for his own team & net an own goal in the same PL game in 2015-16 (after Giroud & Deeney). Drama.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 16, 201611/2011 - John Terry's goal (97:53) was the latest scored in a PL game since Yakubu's for Blackburn v Wigan (98:14) in Nov 2011. Knowledge.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 16, 2016