Everton ground out a hard-fought point with champions Chelsea.

Only Phil Jagielka’s double goal-line clearance and a superb save from Jordan Pickford to deny Pedro prevented the visitors from taking the lead in a lively first half.

The Lonodners continued the onslaught after the break, with Sam Allardyce’s decision to change to a back five inviting them to go on the offensive.

But an inspired performance from Pickford, coupled with a dogged defensive display prevented that from happening and continued Everton’s unbeaten run.

Here were the key talking points from Goodison Park:

Blues finally have a big-game plan

 

For most of the supposed ‘big’ games under Ronald Koeman, it appeared as if Everton didn’t have any genuine game plan.

That lack of organisation was a key reason they’d lost to five of the Premier League’s top seven before welcoming the champions to Goodison Park.

Fortunately, a lack of planning is not a criticism that can be levelled at his successor.

Several weeks ago, this fixture would have been a relatively foregone conclusion by half time with Chelsea comfortably in-front.

Instead, the Blues’ resilience and willingness to fully commit to the strategy their manager had set out for them was evident throughout.

Just as it was in the Merseyside derby earlier this month, it garnered a positive result against the Londoners that was unthinkable not so long ago.

Schneiderlin finding redemption

 

True redemption is still a long way off for Morgan Schneiderlin.

However more performances such as this one will almost certainly speed up the reconciliation process with the Goodison Park faithful.

Composed on the ball and solid defensively, the Frenchman reminded everyone just why he was one of Everton’s best players across 2017.

If he can maintain that form over the busy Christmas period, Schneiderlin will soon be a regular in the starting line-up once again.

He might just find himself among the fan favourites if he does.

Klaassen and Mirallas in the cold

 

It seems not everyone will be given Schneiderlin’s chance to impress.

Both Davy Klaassen and Kevin Mirallas have failed to stake their claim in a recent behind doors 11 v 11 game that Allardyce staged to assess his squad.

They were noticeable in their absence on Everton’s subs bench here; Klaassen in particular given youngster Beni Baningime was preferred ahead of him.

The rumour mill is already in overdrive with the pair linked with moves away in January. Few would be surprised if that happened sooner rather than later.

Goodison remains a solid foundation

 

While Everton’s away form has left many despairing, the same cannot be said of their performances in front of the bear pit that is Goodison.

The ‘Grand Old Lady’ is a relative fortress these days, with this draw meaning its hosts have picked up a cumulative 18 points already this season.

In fact, 72% of their overall 26 points this term have arrived on home soil.

To put it into perspective, that’s more than Liverpool have picked up across Stanley Park and equal to Tottenham in their temporary home at Wembley.

If Allardyce can maintain that form and build on things on the road, a process he has already started, the second half of this campaign could be an exciting one.