The goal brought the three points, of course. Yet in the 59th minute at Goodison Park there was a moment that believers in fate will have seen as every bit as important.
Mason Mount took a shot from just inside the penalty area. It had Jordan Pickford beaten – for the only time in what was a quite stunning performance by the England goalkeeper – but struck the inside of the left post.
A stroke of luck, but there was more to come. The ball then spun at a right angle, scuttled across the goal line, and struck the right post too. Cesar Azpilicueta arrived to hit a thunderous follow-up shot which Pickford recovered to keep out quite brilliantly. It was surely one of the saves of the season. And Everton survived. Everton endured.
They did not find a way to lose, as they have so many times this season. They fought to the bitter end. At one stage the ball went off the field and a supporter stuck it up his jumper. The players showed similar resistance. They shall not pass. And, when they did, Chelsea had Pickford to answer to. This was his game of the season. It may be the game of his life.
