Nicolas Anelka almost burst Everton’s bubble but fluffed a chance from six yards out after Drogba had powered to the by-line and cut the ball back for the Frenchman.

But the France international in Everton’s ranks, Saha, set the half up for a final flurry of action – however he would fail to deliver on his lines.

Played into the area by Donovan, Saha’s close range effort was smothered by Cech before the American regained possession and was then felled by Ricardo Carvalho to hand Moyes’ men a penalty.

Up stepped Saha, sure to net his 101st goal in the English league, but Chelsea’s stopper sprung finely to his left to palm out the spot-kick and keep the scores level at the break; however, the balance of the tie had dramatically tipped in Everton’s favour.

That pressure carried into the second half as Bilyaletdinov forced Cech to tip over his bar smartly from an effort which in truth looked more like a cross, before Saha got the better of Terry once more to fashion a chance which he scuffed marginally wide – it would not be the end of their personal dual.

Goodison was by now overwhelmed with a blazing atmosphere as Chelsea looked uncertain and nervous under the relentless surge Everton were mounting – it was turning into an evening where the intimidating reputation of their home patch was coming into fruition.

Back to basics play would prove the order of the day as Everton finally reaped their reward in the 75th minute, but the manner in which Saha controlled Baines’ long punt upfield was anything but amateur.

Out foxing the jumping Terry, Saha chested the ball down and strode onto the ball before smashing beyond Cech with a left foot volley – a calibre of goal a select band of player are capable of.

Another of those who can mimic Saha’s exquisite is Drogba who almost levelled the game soon afterwards when heading against bar but, for all Chelsea’s late pressure, Everton stood firm to claim a fine win.

Not even the launch of the Premier League’s sexual health awareness campaign was enough to convince Moyes’ men of extending any love to the league leaders, such sentiments were in short supply.