Half-Time Report: Goal apiece at the Bridge

Hosts Chelsea and Everton both found the net during the opening 45 minutes of their Premier League clash at Stamford Bridge this afternoon.

Chelsea started brightly and after Demba Ba had shot over the crossbar early on, Juan Mata broke the deadlock in the seventh minute.

Visiting goalkeeper Tim Howard failed to hold Ba's low effort and the Spanish attacker was on hand to score for the 12th time in the league this season.

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That prompted a positive response from David Moyes's team and they managed to level the score in the 14th minute. Steven Naismith exchanged passes with Victor Anichebe on the edge of the area before beating Petr Cech with a lofted finish.

They then almost took the lead four minutes later, but Darron Gibson's deflected effort was cleared to safety via the upright.

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As the half drew to a close, Chelsea's Fernando Torres and Everton attacker Kevin Mirallas both had opportunities to put their side in front, but both failed to make clean connections with the ball when well placed.