Saha 62       Kalou 79

An uninspiring Chelsea rode their luck on Merseyside to force an FA Cup fourth round replay at Stamford Bridge against a largely dominant Everton.

Substitute Salomon Kalou’s 79^th-minute leveller came seconds after a last-ditch block by Ghanaian midfielder Michael Essien denied Everton a possibly unassailable lead, which was deserved on the balance of play.

Both sides struggled in a grim opening period. Jack Rodwell fired Everton’s best chance at Chelsea keeper Petr Cech on 26 minutes and Nicolas Anelka fired Chelsea’s best chance at Everton keeper Tim Howard on 31 minutes.

Everton in particular were better after the interval, Louis Saha denied a certain goal by Ramires’ goalline block before the Frenchman headed the Toffees into the lead on 62 minutes from Leighton Baines’ right-wing corner.

Seamus Coleman was twice denied Everton’s second in the 78^th minute, his header saved by Cech, his follow-up shot blocked by Essien.

And the FA Cup holders were level within a minute, when Kalou’s right-foot shot from Anelka’s pass beat Howard low to his left.

Ramires struck a post with a fine long-range effort on 86 minutes. But Toffees substitute Jermaine Beckford brought a fine last-minute save from Cech with a crunching left-foot volley.