Four minutes later and the Chelsea juggernaut gathered pace and as Saha failed to clear a routine corner Branislav Ivanovic poked the ball into the path of Nicolas Anelka who would find Howard’s other top corner with unnerving accuracy.

Everton were now having to remain steadfast to halt the flow of home attacks and as the game quickly became a ‘sleeves rolled up’ period for Moyes’ men, the battle claimed its first victim in forward Jo.

But as the Brazilian limped off having gone over on his ankle, he inadvertently paved the way for his side to level the game as Chelsea’s vulnerability from set-pieces was laid bare once more.

Diniyar Bilyaletdinov’s long throw, flicked on by Marouane Fellaini, caused havoc in the area and as Baines charged in the ball fell kindly to Jo’s replacement Yakubu who struck past Cech from close range.

It changed very little in the pattern of the game however and only succeeded in surging Chelsea on further; Drogba’s neat side foot volley from Ivanovic’s deep cross re-established their lead just before the hour.

But Everton were defending with too much heart and are filled with too much pride to have accepted defeat; they have dealt with unprecedented adversity this season to shy away from the challenge.

And four minutes later they were back on terms when Heitinga’s free-kick was met by Drogba who succeeded in heading against the challenging Saha only for the ball to loop over a stranded Cech – the adage that fortune favours the brave played out for all to see.

Ancelotti’s men probed in search of the winner most expected them to achieve but Everton’s remarkable fightback had taken the life out of Chelsea and they seemed devoid of ideas the further the game progressed.

In a game when the nerves of the Everton supporters were tested once more, it was reassuring that manager Moyes appeared to be the calmest man in the ground – he too must feel as the year draws to a close, 2010 holds even better things. Cheers to that.