Revealed: Why Chelsea can't wait to wave goodbye to their bogey ground Goodison Park - as they look to go top of the Premier League for the first time in three years against Everton
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A meeting of sides at either ends of the table should be easy to call but Chelsea's recent record on trips to Goodison Park makes Sunday's match perhaps more of a toss-up than you might expect. Enzo Maresca's side have the opportunity to climb to the top of the Premier League - for a couple of hours at the very least - when they take on the Toffees for the final time at their famous home.
![[Steven Naismith's hat-trick helped Everton prevail against Chelsea in September 2015]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/21/09/93348353-14210645-Steven_Naismith_s_hat_trick_helped_Everton_prevail_against_Chels-a-18_1734773553632.jpg)
Chelsea come into the game on an eight-game winning streak but Sean Dyche's outfit will provide the sternest of tests. Everton can be a match for anyone on their day. This fact was best exemplified in their gutsy 0-0 draw with Arsenal last weekend. Should they do the same on Sunday, they'll hand their bitter rivals Liverpool a second boost in as many weeks in their quest to win the Premier League.
![[Antonio Conte claimed one of the two wins Chelsea bosses have enjoyed during their recent travels to Goodison]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/22/10/93353841-14210645-Antonio_Conte_claimed_one_of_the_two_wins_Chelsea_bosses_have_en-a-1_1734863566384.jpg)
Victory on Merseyside would only be Chelsea's third in their last 11 visits to Goodison. Their miserable run began with a 3-1 defeat in September 2015 when Jose Mourinho's side made a sluggish start to the defence of their title - their form did not much improve in the following weeks.
![[Enzo Maresca's side are hoping to end their Goodison Park hoodoo and go top of the league]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/21/09/93377341-14210645-image-a-22_1734773880668.jpg)
Chelsea may be within touching distance of top spot but their recent form at Goodison Park leaves plenty to be desired. Steven Naismith's hat-trick helped Everton prevail against Chelsea in September 2015. Antonio Conte claimed one of the two wins Chelsea bosses have enjoyed during their recent travels to Goodison.
![[Everton will be hoping for another big result against Chelsea after holding Arsenal to a 0-0 draw]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/22/10/93377425-14210645-image-a-2_1734863566710.jpg)
The Blues went down to a Steven Naismith hat-trick, which left them in 17th place after five matchdays. Next came a 2-0 defeat in the FA Cup the following March. Chelsea, now managed by Gus Hiddink, were put to the sword by their former player Romelu Lukaku who scored two late goals to send the home side into the quarter-finals.
![[It will be the last time the two sides face off at Goodison Park before the Toffees leave for Bramley-Moore Dock]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/22/10/93377499-14210645-It_will_be_the_last_time_the_two_sides_face_off_at_Goodison_Park-a-3_1734863566724.jpg)
