Chelsea's hopes of securing a top-four finish were hindered by a 2-0 defeat by Everton with the Merseysiders running out deserved winners.

Pienaar and Stracqualursi net in 2-0 win over Chelsea

Chelsea's hopes of securing a top-four finish were hindered by a 2-0 defeat by Everton with the Merseysiders running out deserved winners at Goodison Park.

David Moyes' side started in positive fashion and went ahead in the fifth minute when Steven Pienaar, making his second home debut, lashed the ball home from close range.

Frank Lampard had Chelsea's best chance to level matters in the first half, but he dragged his left-footed shot wide when unmarked in the penalty area from Juan Mata's cross.

Andre Villas-Boas' side created very little after the interval and they conceded a second in the 71st minute when Denis Stracqualursi slotted home after being picked out by Landon Donovan.

The victory has lifted Everton into the top ten while Chelsea have dropped to fifth in the standings following Arsenal's late 2-1 win over in-form Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.

Chelsea had welcomed back Ashley Cole from suspension and Lampard after injury - relegating new signing Gary Cahill back to the bench - but inspiration was lacking.

Pienaar, by contrast, clearly wanted to make an impact from the outset and burst forward in the first minute in a move that ended with Donovan prodding harmlessly wide.

Chelsea failed to heed that warning and were punished after five minutes when Lampard deflected a Tim Cahill ball over Branislav Ivanovic's head.

Pienaar raced into the box, controlled the bouncing ball on his chest and smashed past Petr Cech into the roof of the net.

Everton quickly looked to build on their lead and David Luiz needed to head behind an awkward Phil Neville cross under pressure from Stracqualursi.

Attack

Chelsea's first serious attack petered out as Torres, still without a league goal since September, was forced to turn away from goal and play backwards.

Everton threatened again when Donovan shot powerfully but straight at Cech from distance.

Chelsea were inches away from an equaliser as Daniel Sturridge met a low ball from Mata, which Torres cleverly allowed to run across the edge of the area, with a firm shot but it was deflected over by Neville.

Mata caused further problems for the home defence as he pulled the ball back for Lampard but the England midfielder dragged his shot wide from 18 yards.

Leighton Baines combined well with Pienaar to break into the Chelsea box but Cahill, ruled onside, was unable to control his pass as he turned to shoot.

Baines troubled Chelsea again with an inswinging free-kick but Cahill was flagged offside as he stretched to reach a ball which rebounded off Cech's legs.

Chelsea's Raul Meireles was booked for kicking Stracqualursi as the Argentinian tried to break clear and the Everton striker shot at Cech moments later.

Torres felt he should have had a penalty just before half-time when he was blocked off by John Heitinga.

The former Liverpool forward complained to referee Mike Jones after the whistle was blown but was led away to the tunnel by Everton's Marouane Fellaini.

Chelsea pushed forward in the opening minutes of the second half but Everton's defence, well led by Sylvain Distin, remained firm.

Persistence

After soaking up the pressure, Everton's Stracqualursi showed great persistence to win the ball from Ivanovic in the Chelsea area but his shot was blocked.

A loud cheer ran