John Terry Scores Own Goal And Crucial Leveller

John Terry snatched a last-gasp Chelsea equaliser eight minutes into stoppage-time to rescue a dramatic 3-3 draw against Everton at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

Chelsea’s month-long unbeaten run under interim manager Guus Hiddink appeared to be at an end when Ramiro Funes Mori put Everton 3-2 ahead in the 90th minute.

But Blues captain Terry, who earlier scored an own goal to give Everton their opener, had the last word with a back-flicked finish worthy of a top striker, although there was controversy over the effort as the centre-back appeared to be in an offside position.

That late intervention capped a spirited, if error-strewn display, from Chelsea, who had fallen two goals behind after Kevin Mirallas added to Terry’s own goal.

A terrible defensive mix-up allowed Diego Costa to pull one back and Chelsea were level seconds later when a deflected Cesc Fabregas effort found the net, setting the stage for the memorable finale.

Hiddink had warned beforehand that Chelsea cannot regard themselves as immune from the prospect of relegation so long as they fail to record victories.

And last season’s Premier League champions, six points above the relegation zone, still look in some disarray after their second home draw this week.

Chelsea carved out the first chance and it took a smart save from Tim Howard to prevent Willian, played in on the right of the box by Fabregas, from opening the scoring.

Mirallas, having turned his man superbly to scamper into space, forced Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois into a diving parry as Everton ended the half strongly.

The Toffees took the lead five minutes into the second period thanks to Terry’s own goal.

Romelu Lukaku, Everton’s top scorer, was the key man as he fed the ball to Ross Barkley despite three blue shirts being in close proximity.

Barkley sent Leighton Baines into a crossing position on the left and Terry, mindful of Lukaku stealing in behind him, mis-kicked an attempted clearance into his own net from close-range.