Chelsea returned to the UEFA Champions League places in the English Premier League with a 1-0 victory over Everton at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
The victory moved the Blues up to fourth in the Premier League, level on points with Nottingham Forest and a point ahead of Newcastle, who play Ipswich later on Saturday.
With Forest and Aston Villa in FA Cup semi-final action this weekend, Chelsea will hold on to a top-five spot at least until Thursday, when Forest host Brentford.
The crucial three points were sealed by striker Nicolas Jackson, who ended a 13-match goalless run stretching back to December.
He drilled an instinctive 20-yard effort beyond Jordan Pickford and into the bottom corner in the 27th minute.
Despite being the better side, Chelsea were unable to kill the game off and, given the tight nature of the race for Champions League football and the Blues’ difficult league fixtures before the end of the season, there were uncomfortable moments when Everton improved in the final quarter.
But the hosts’ keeper Robert Sanchez saved well from both Beto and Dwight McNeil low to his right when needed.
Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea next play leaders and champions-elect Liverpool at Stamford Bridge next Sunday.
In a tough-lookong run of fixtures for Enzo Maresca’s men, they then visit fellow Champions League chasers Newcastle United, before hosting Manchester United.
Chelsea end their campaign at Forest on the final day of the season.
Everton have only won one of their past nine matches and remain 13th in the table.
