4 Things We Learned As Everton And Chelsea Draw 0-0

Sam Allardyce's unbeaten run as Everton manager continued as a dogged defensive performance saw the Toffees claim a well-deserved point against Chelsea at Goodison.

Without Wayne Rooney, Mason Holgate and Ashley Williams from the outset, Allardyce's men were indebted to Phil Jagielka's double clearance and some brilliant saves from Jordan Pickford in goal for keeping the west Londoners at bay.

Antonio Conte threw on Cesc Fabregas and Michy Batshuayi in search of a winner, but the hosts held firm to come away with a share of the spoils.

Here are four things we learned from the early kick-off at Goodison Park.

1. Schneiderlin delivers best performance of season to put woes behind him

If any player in the Everton ranks encapsulated the Blues' early-season fall from grace that had them teetering close to the relegation zone, it was Morgan Schneiderlin. A key figure during the second half of last season, the January signing from Manchester United was dropped under caretaker manager David Unsworth due to a combination of poor form and an alleged training ground incident.

For some of Everton's fanbase, any recovery from the Frenchman was unthinkable. His bed had been made, if you like. 

But under Allardyce, Schneiderlin has slowly crept back into contention. Improved in the recent 1-0 away victory against Newcastle, several backward steps were taken in midweek due to a stifling tactical setup that saw him withdrawn just after half-time. The question in some quarters was whether could a midfield partnership of Schneiderlin and Idrissa Gueye work at all for Allardyce's side. 

The next step, clearly, was for the former Les Bleus international to both nail down a regular place in the centre of the park, and make positive noises with the Everton supporters. He certainly did that here with a combative performance in front of the back four that was memorable for the sheer volume of vital interceptions, tackles and clearances made in a backs-to-the-wall first-half display.

A tactical tweak which saw usual partner Gueye press higher in and out of possession paid dividends.

There is clearly still room for improvement- particularly on the ball where he needs to be much braver- but Schneiderlin is moving in the right direction once again at Goodison Park.

2. Chelsea struggle to unlock door without Morata

Every so often in a season, there are watershed moments that prove to be significant for any one of a variety of reasons. For visitors Chelsea, who were recently nullified so effectively away to West Ham, the clash with David Moyes' men earlier this month could well turn out to be just that.

In an otherwise rich vein of form, Conte's men suffered at the London Stadium from being forced to play most of the match on the front foot. Shepherded away from areas of danger, the west Londoners resorted to playing percentage balls into the box in an attempt to break the press.

That tactical blueprint was continued at Goodison Park by Sam Allardyce as Everton effectively handed the initiative to their visitors and made them play wide. In the absence of target man Alvaro Morata though, and with a diminutive front three of Hazard, Willian and Pedro, Chelsea toiled in their attempt to break through their deep-lying hosts. Inviting crosses from Alonso went unpunished with the ex-Real Madrid striker not on the pitch.

Hazard and Willian buzzed, yet the uninspiring Blues lacked the creativity of Cesc Fabregas and instead looked most likely when Bakayoko and Kanté rampaged forward.

Given the success of the low block, it would be no surprise at all if others follow Everton and West Ham's lead against the Premier League champions in the months to come.

3. Pickford surges ahead of Hart in England pecking order

The debate rages as to who should be England's Number 1 at this summer's World Cup in Russia- but with normal first-choice pushed down the West Ham pecking order, Jordan Pickford gave viewers of the Premier League's early kick-off another reminder of his obvious talents at just the right time.

The £30m summer signing from Sunderland saw his goal peppered by over 20 shots at Goodison, making numerous important blocks to keep his side in the game. What impressed most was the way in which he pushed fierce drives from the likes of Pedro and Willian away from danger and to safety with such regularity.

Add in some excellent distribution to set Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Sandro free down the wings in the second-half, and it's clear to see why a keeper with Pickford's skill-set would appeal to an international manager looking to play in an expansive manner.

With the eyes of the Premier League trained on him and the stage set, Pickford served up a display that puts further pressure on Hart's status as undisputed Three Lions starter.

4. Allardyce continues superb defensive record 

Another game, another clean sheet for Sam Allardyce. After taking over one of the division's leakiest side's, the scale and pace of the improvement has been stark. 

The record now stands at just two goals conceded in five games- and where once such a canny defensive display would have been a major surprise, now it seems par for the course.

Everton sat back and frustrated their guests safe in the knowledge that Gueye and Schneiderlin would win battles in the midfield, and Keane and Jagielka had enough to adequately protect Pickford's goal. As the game wore on, chances became few and far between for Chelsea.

Deprived of normal central defensive partnership Mason Holgate and Ashley Williams- both on the bench- the structure was in place for replacements Keane and Jagielka to excel. The former, in particular, delivered his most assured performance of the season, with full-backs Jonjoe Kenny and Cuco Martina also composed throughout. Allardyce deserves immense credit for turning things round so quickly at Goodison- especially with what many consider to be a rag-tag group of players. Now, with their course of travel righted, the Blues can continue to look up instead of down.