Blues claim comfortable Everton win

Chelsea emphatically ended their Everton hoodoo to move back to within three points of new Barclays Premier League leaders Manchester City as they recorded a 3-1 triumph.

The Blues had not beaten Everton since the 2009 FA Cup final and were looking for their first home win against them in six seasons, and goals from Daniel Sturridge, John Terry and Ramires sealed victory.

Apostolos Vellios netted a late consolation with his first touch after coming off the bench for the Toffees, but Chelsea - inspired by the outstanding Juan Mata - were worthy winners.

Early on, Chelsea were crying out for some inspiration and when it finally arrived in the 31st minute, the source was no surprise.

Mata brilliantly picked out Ashley Cole's surge into the box and the left-back stood up a first-time cross which Sturridge simply could not fail to nod into the net.

Everton continued to look more than capable of scoring themselves, but were undone again in first-half stoppage-time when Seamus Coleman fouled Cole and Terry beat Tim Howard to nod home Frank Lampard's free-kick.

Leon Osman almost pulled a goal back straight after the restart with a shot that shaved the outside of the post, but with the comfort of a two-goal lead, Chelsea soon began putting together some lovely passages of play.

After the break, A sweeping Chelsea move saw Mata exchange passes with Didier Drogba before sending in a low cross which was inch-perfect for Ramires to slide home.

The Blues were in cruise control but were denied their first clean sheet since the opening day of the league season when David Moyes threw on Vellios for Louis Saha nine minutes from time and watched the substitute immediately slide home Royston Drenthe's cross.