Returning captain John Terry bundled in a stoppage-time goal as Chelsea beat Everton 1-0 to consolidate their lead at the top of the Barclays Premier League.
It appeared two points would be dropped by Jose Mourinho's men as an entertaining contest remained goalless until Phil Jagielka was adjudged to have fouled Ramires in the left channel.
Frank Lampard's inswinging free-kick was glanced down by Branislav Ivanovic and Terry slid in to score past Tim Howard.
It was a timely intervention from the skipper, who returned following a three-game absence with a gluteal muscle problem.
Chelsea had won once in his absence, but they now travel to Galatasaray for the Champions League last 16 first leg with Didier Drogba's side on Wednesday after a morale-boosting victory.
Double act: Frank Lampard (left) and John Terry combined for Chelsea's crucial winner
Deadly delivery: Frank Lampard whips in the decisive free-kick into the danger zone
Quick off the mark: John Terry reacts first as Slyvain Distin, Leighton Baines and Phil Jagielka can only watch
The late show: John Terry slides in front of Tim Howard as Chelsea seal a dramatic late win
Dramatic finish: Tim Howard deflected Frank Lampard's free-kick into his own net under pressure from John Terry
Over the line: Chelsea consolidated their position at the top of the table with a vital victory
Crucial three points: Jose Mourinho punches the air as the Chelsea bench erupts at the late winner
All together now: Chelsea players celebrate a dramatic three points after the final whistle
Gutted: Everton, who had played excellently, leave Stamford Bridge without a point to show for their efforts
Mixed emotions: John Terry and Tim Howard share a moment after the match
Howard had earlier denied Eden Hazard and Ivanovic in quick succession, and Everton, who won the Goodison Park contest in September, were unfortunate to be beaten as their winless away run was extended to five games.
Mourinho's unbeaten Premier League home record extended to 74 games as luck was on Chelsea's side.
With Romelu Lukaku prevented from facing his parent club, Roberto Martinez had selected Lacina Traore for his first Premier League start, only for the giant Ivorian to withdraw after feeling his hamstring in the warm-up.
In came Steven Naismith, who scored the winner in September's clash, but it was nonetheless a blow for the visitors.
At 5ft 8in Naismith is a foot shorter than Traore, offering a different threat to Terry and leaving Everton short of an attacking focal point.
Oscar received a yellow card for a foul on the Scot, who then played a lay-off for Leon Osman to strike a rising drive which required Petr Cech to tip over at full stretch.
Everton's fluid football was causing problems for Chelsea, who were bidding to respond from a two-match winless streak following the draw at West Brom and FA Cup loss at Manchester City.
MATCH FACTS
CHELSEA (4-2-3-1): Cech 7: Ivanovic 7, Terry 8, Cahill 8, Azpilicueta 7: Matic 7, Lampard 7: Willian 5 (Torres 62, 4.5), Hazard 5.5, Oscar 5 (Ramires 46, 6): Eto’o 6 (Schurrle 69, 6). Subs not used: Schwarzer, Cole, Salah, Ba.
Booked: Oscar.
Goal: Howard (OG 90+3mins)
EVERTON (4-2-3-1): Howard 7: Coleman 7, Jagielka 7, Distin 8.5, Baines 7.5: Barry 7, McCarthy 7: Osman 7.5 (Barkley 60, 5.5), Naismith 7, Pienaar 6.5 (McGeady 80, 5): Mirallas 7.5 (Deulofeu 75, 6).
Subs not used: Robles, Hibbert, McGeady, Deulofeu, Garbutt, Stones.
Booked: Barry, Jagielka.
Attendance: 41,850
Referee: Lee Probert
Man of the Match: Sylvain Distin
Player ratings by DOMINIC KING at Stamford Bridge
Sensational save: Everton keeper Tim Howard gets in the way of Branislav Ivanovic's volley from inside the box
Over the top: The Everton wall jumps as one as Willian's free kick sails toward goal
Hard-fought: Leon Osman (left) evades the attentions of Nemanja Matic as Cesar Azpilicueta looks on
Agonising wait: Willian looks panicked as Steven Naismith is foiled by the onrushing Petr Cech
Over the top: The Everton wall jumps as one as Willian's free kick sails toward goal
Hard-fought: Leon Osman (left) evades the attentions of Nemanja Matic as Cesar Azpilicueta looks on
Agonising wait: Willian looks panicked as Steven Naismith is foiled by the onrushing Petr Cech
Tim Cahill's feeling blue
'That cross needs to be headed away. We can't keep saying we were unlucky.We were the better team. Can't play without a striker. #gutted #COYB'
The visitors would not allow their hosts to settle, disrupting their rhythm with Osman, James McCarthy and Gareth Barry breaking up play in midfield.
When Chelsea got beyond the Toffees trio, they encountered another defensive wall in Sylvain Distin and Jagielka, who acrobatically cleared a menacing Hazard cross.
When that rearguard was breached, Eto'o wrong-footed Distin and shot left-footed, only for Howard to save.
Kevin Mirallas miscued a shooting chance from the edge of the area and Willian scuffed a shot at Howard as the half closed with Everton the better side.
No laughing matter? Substitute Fernando Torres smiles during a break in the action at Stamford Bridge
Head to head: Nemanja Matic (left) vies for possession with Everton's Steven Pienaar
Getting to grips with each other: Oscar (left) and Leighton Baines battle for the ball
Directing proceedings: Jose Mourinho gesticulates on the touchline
Chelsea's playmakers struggled in the first half and Oscar was sacrificed at half-time.
The Brazil playmaker's recent showings have been below his high standards, something Mourinho attributed to the British weather, but on a spring-like day he was unusually quiet.
The more industrious Ramires came on and was immediately in the thick of the action, taking part in a shoving match with Osman after Steven Pienaar went to ground. Referee Lee Probert opted for a drop ball.
Chelsea pushed forwards, with Lampard shooting at Howard before Distin blocked the follow-up effort.
An attempted Eto'o through-ball towards Hazard hit Jagielka's arm as the defender tumbled over and Chelsea, more than hope than expectation, appealed in vain for a penalty.
Late drama: Chelsea snatched three points late on - check out more from our Match Zone
Willian and Ramires shot off target but still Everton were threatening.
Osman's shot from the edge of the area clipped Mirallas, and Cech scrambled the ball round the post.
In an open game, Chelsea had three opportunities in quick succession following a corner.
First Hazard's shot was parried by Howard. Eto'o tried to direct his headed follow-up across goal and into the top corner, but served only to miss the target completely and the goalkeeper then denied Ivanovic.
Fernando Torres replaced Willian and Eto'o pushed wide right before later making way for Andre Schurrle, while Ross Barkley came on for Osman for the visitors.
Animated: Roberto Martinez gees up his players in the winter sunshine
At full stretch: Everton's Lacina Traore was injured in the warm-up
Toe to toe: James McCarthy is at full stretch to deny James McCarthy
Still Chelsea were struggling to find the incisive pass, while Everton were playing like visitors, by having just scraps to feed off, unlike in the first half when they were marginally on top.
Mirallas was replaced by Gerard Deulofeu and Aiden McGeady replaced Pienaar with 10 minutes to go, with Martinez as positive as Mourinho in his substitutions, believing his side could win the contest.
Chelsea continued to forge forward and Torres blasted into Hazard and wide when the ball would not quite sit for the Belgian and then the Spain striker fired wildly wide.
Terry stood firm as Barkley ran at him in the Chelsea penalty area and Ramires fired narrowly wide at the other end.
Finally the deadlock was broken after Ramires and Jagielka collided and the Chelsea man was awarded a free-kick.
Lampard whipped in the ball and Terry stabbed it beyond Howard.
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