The Friedkin Group era at Everton began with the end of Farhad Moshiri’s reign, with a goalless draw against a London club aiming for the top of the Premier League and a strengthening of Sean Dyche’s case for the stabilization task that the new owners need. Chelsea missed the chance to go top of the Premier League as their eight-game winning streak in all competitions came to an end at Goodison Park.

Enzo Maresca’s insistence that Chelsea lack the experience and pedigree for a sustained title challenge was given credence as his players battled against a determined Everton defense. Dyche’s side had the clearer opportunities and, despite not taking advantage of any, left a happier team at the end of more significant days for the club.

The opening game of Everton’s new era began in terrible weather and with no rest on the pitch until Chelsea launched their first significant attack after 26 minutes. Dyche’s team, as is often the case, offered control but little creativity as the visitors struggled to strengthen Everton’s compact defence. Idrissa Gueye was an added complication for Chelsea as she stuck with Cole Palmer throughout while Dyche tried to contain the playmaker who destroyed his side at Stamford Bridge last season.

Chelsea’s patience was almost rewarded when Moisés Caicedo and Pedro Neto combined to release Palmer on the Everton left. Nicolas Jackson struck powerfully from Palmer’s bottom center, but Jordan Pickford parried it with his legs. Malo Gusto, who moved to left defense in the absence of the suspended Marc Cucurella, headed over the goal after the rebound.

This breakaway group ushered in a dominant phase for Maresca’s team, but clear chances remained rare. Jackson headed against the post as Axel Disasi took a corner from Enzo Fernández. The ball bounced towards Gusto, whose shot was deflected past the goal by a light touch from Pickford. It was fortunate for the Everton goalkeeper that he touched the ball after rising to the challenge. Otherwise he would have gotten into serious trouble.

Pickford’s opposite number, Robert Sánchez, was tested just once before half-time when he blocked a shot from Orel Mangala that went into the bottom corner after Everton had broken through through Iliman Ndiaye and Abdoulaye Doucouré.

A series of small confrontations – Levi Colwill and Pickford, James Tarkowski and Jackson, Tarkowski and Fernández, Tarkowski and Disasi – broke the momentum of an uneventful contest. Chelsea at least put in a more energetic performance in the second half, but not the guile or grit expected of a team aiming to reach the top of the Premier League, even if only for a short time. Everton’s Jack Harrison had the best opening when Ndiaye’s clever cross found him completely unmolested in the Chelsea penalty area. Harrison had time to maintain control and pick his spot but was unable to beat Sánchez from close range.

Everton created another excellent chance to break the stalemate when two substitutes, Beto and Jesper Lindstrøm, along with Mangala, broke through the Chelsea defense. Sánchez directed Lindstrøm’s low shot into the path of Ndiaye, who looked certain to convert until Tosin Adarabioyo decisively parried his shot.