Willian's late goal helps Chelsea maintain 7-point lead on top of PL post 1-0 Everton win

Brazilian attacking midfielder Willian's last minute goal helped Chelsea seal a 1-0 win over Everton and help them maintain a seven-point lead at the top of the Premier League table.

The 89th minute goal came moments after Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic went unpunished for a clash with James McCarthy that followed Gareth Barry's red card. Everton keeper Tim Howard had earlier denied Chelsea trio Loic Remy, Nemanja Matic and Willian with fine saves.

For Chelsea, goalkeeper Petr Cech brilliantly denied Romelu Lukaku from close range, the BBC reported.

Barry's second yellow card for a trip on the game's goalscorer sparked a melee during which Ivanovic got McCarthy in a head-lock and appeared to thrust his head towards his opponent's back.

When play resumed, a free-kick from deep was punched out by Howard as far as Willian, whose low shot glanced Steven Naismith on its way into the corner of the net.

The late goal has helped Chelsea maintain their seven-point lead at the top of the Premier League table, as Manchester City threatened to close the gap on Jose Mourinho's side with a 4-1 win against Stoke City.