Fernando Torres scored his first Barclays Premier League goal of 2013 as Chelsea sealed third place with a victory which saw David Moyes’ 11-year reign as Everton manager end in defeat.
Twelve months to the day since Chelsea’s Champions League win in Munich, Juan Mata put the hosts in front, only for Steven Naismith to swiftly equalise for Manchester United-bound Moyes’ visitors.
The Europa League winners were on top in the second half and sealed victory through £50million striker Torres’ first league goal since December 23 as Rafael Benitez’s seven-month spell ended with a 28th win from 48 matches.
Victory for Chelsea ended the prospect of a play-off with Arsenal to determine the final automatic qualifying place for the Champions League and means they depart for the United States tomorrow for their post-season tour with Benitez’s mission accomplished.
The Spaniard arrived in November with Chelsea in disarray, but he has steered the Blues through the turmoil and departs with both his and the club’s reputation restored before handing over to his successor, who could yet be the returning ‘Special One’ Jose Mourinho.
Frank Lampard will be part of the future after signing a one-year contract extension on Thursday which takes his spell at Stamford Bridge into a 13th season.
Lampard scored twice in the corresponding fixture at Goodison Park in December and also netted twice last weekend, the second at Aston Villa establishing the midfielder as Chelsea’s record goalscorer on 203
The England international, who will be 35 in June, was presented with a golden boot before kick-off by the man whose 43-year-old record he surpassed, Bobby Tambling.
Lampard was included in a side showing two changes following Wednesday’s Europa League win over Benfica.
Nathan Ake made his first Premier League start and Demba Ba was restored, alongside Torres, who started alongside Mata and Oscar in the second offensive line. The triumvirate were each making their 64th Chelsea appearances of the season in the club’s 69th game.
Ba had the first chance, but slipped and scooped over after intercepting Marouane Fellaini’s aimless pass across goal before playing a crucial role in the opening goal.
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