The fact that John Terry’s dismissal remains the major talking point tells you all you need to know about the game at Goodison. There were chances at both ends but in the main, quality played second fiddle to effort and endeavour on the night.

Everton were again without a recognised forward but still made a nuisance of themselves, particularly once Terry had been given his marching orders late in the first half. Chelsea and particularly Cech, stood firm though as Scolari’s side battled to a point…

Moyes made one change, bringing in Hibbert at right back which allowed Neville to move to midfield to replace hamstring victim Castillo. Scolari meanwhile, kept an unchanged side which meant that Drogba remained on the bench. He and Ivanovic came on for Anelka and Joe Cole at half-time as Scolari was forced to reshuffle after Terry’s early bath. Malouda was back from three weeks out and earned a place on the bench.

Chelsea dominated possession in the first half but lacked a cutting edge with Anelka, and later Drogba, looking largely ineffective against an Everton defence that boasted some decent performances. In attacking terms, Everton huffed and puffed and but for some smart saves from Cech, they could have inflicted Chelsea’s first away defeat of the season. Fellaini was the home side’s major threat after Terry’s departure, but Chelsea kept him out and grinded their way to a point – the first time they have dropped points away from the Bridge this season.

This was another clean sheet for Chelsea then – their twelfth of the season. Cech came away with save points, plus a pair of FPL bonus – his biggest haul of the season. He has conceded just a single goal away from home this season and significantly, Cech, Bosingwa, Lampard and Anelka now top of the rankings in the four positions in the Fantasy Premier League game.

The latter two had off nights however. Anelka was kept quiet and was sacrificed for Drogba – he will surely now come under threat either for a starting role or certainly a central striking position unless Scolari considers a change of system to accommodate Drogba.

As for Lampard, he has now gathered just two assists in his last seven Premier League appearances. A major concern for his owners. He remains central to Chelsea’s attacking ploys but with Scolari’s side currently struggling to find the net with regularity (four goals in the last four games), then Lampard’s potential returns are clearly hampered. Lampard owners will now be looking at the home game with West Brom and anticipating and expecting some returns. Another blank and he could well be a major part of the January sales.

There were plenty of casualties from the game in terms of injuries and suspensions. Terry will miss the next two Premiership games against West Brom and Fulham, plus their FA Cup tie with Southend.

Scolari could well cover the absence of Terry with the return of Carvalho, although two games in the space of two days over Christmas will surely be too much for him. Ivanovic is more likely to be given the opportunity then, with Alex keeping his place in the centre. Both offer fantasy managers some decent value considering that Chelsea’s opponents – West Brom and Fulham, are both struggling for goals.

Everton meanwhile will assess the hamstring injury suffered by Yobo in the second half and Osman’s ankle injury prior to the Boxing Day visit to Boro. Moyes will hope to have either Anichebe or Saha available to him and in the absence of Yobo, the Everton boss is likely to hand a start to Baines at left-back with Lescott moving to a central role.