A header from Frank Lampard sent Chelsea into the break level at one goal apiece from their trip to Everton's Goodison Park this afternoon.
There was just one minute and three seconds on the clock when hosting Everton broke the deadlock. Phil Jagielka was afforded space down the right and with a deep cross, the England defender picked out Victor Anichebe. The Nigerian could only send his header against the post, but an advancing Steven Pienaar was on hand to convert the rebound from 10 yards out.
The Toffees went close to extending their lead seven minutes later after goalscorer Pienaar had been brought down on the edge of the box by Gary Cahill. Nikica Jealvic took the resultant free kick, but his curling effort struck the same upright as Anichebe did earlier before it was cleared to safety.
Everton continued to be the dominant force and only a diving save from Petr Cech denied Leon Osman's low drive from 20 yards out with 26 minutes on the clock.
Chelsea created their first real opportunity two minutes after Cech had denied Osman, but Ramires failed to connect cleanly with his first effort from the edge of the box, before Tim Howard came off his line to deny Juan Mata.
That attack lifted Chelsea, who went close again with 33 minutes played when Cesar Azpilicueta drilled in a cross from the right, which both Eden Hazard and Ashley Cole just failed to make contact with.
Jelavic then went up the other end moments later but saw his effort tipped round the post by Cech, before Chelsea eventually scored an equaliser three minutes before the break.
Ramires sent over a cross to the right of the penalty area and Lampard was on hand to nod the ball into the net from 10 yards out.