Frank Lampard’s thunderbolt, Didier Drogba’s screamer and Jose Mourinho’s antics: Everton vs Chelsea in 2006 had absolutely everything

What’s the first thing that comes to mind when someone says Christmas? Football, obviously.

More specifically, Chelsea travelling to Goodison Park. Okay, maybe that’s just me.

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But the five-goal thriller at Everton in December 2006 will go down as one of the greatest Christmas crackers of all time.

Michael Ballack, Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba scored three of the best goals you’re likely to see in one match as an early present came for Blues fans.

And with Yuletide just around the corner, Chelsea visit Goodison Park this Saturday LIVE on talkSPORT.

To get you in the mood, here’s how that thrilling clash unfolded in 2006.

Mikel Arteta puts Everton in front from the spot

It might seem like a distant memory for Toffees fans, with their team currently in the relegation zone, but they were quite good in 2006.

The likes of Tim Howard, Joleon Lescott and Mikel Arteta had them challenging for the European spots under David Moyes.

Meanwhile, Chelsea had just won back-to-back titles under Jose Mourinho and started this game with Michael Essien, Claude Makelele, Ballack and Lampard in midfield. Tasty.

But it was the hosts who took the lead when an out-of-place Khalid Boulahrouz wrestled Victor Anichebe to ground in the box and Arteta smashed home from the spot.

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Ballack levels with a stunning free-kick

Incredibly, Ballack’s free-kick wasn’t even the second-best goal in this game, but it was special.

Think Roberto Carlos’ outside-of-the-foot classic but in reverse. The German started his strike way outside the post, trying to bend it round the wall.

He got just enough whip on the ball, and a little bit of help from the post, to equalise for the Blues just after half-time.

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Yobo restores Everton’s lead

Joseph Yobo, remember him?

His legacy has largely been reduced to people naming their Fantasy Football teams ‘Yobocop’ in his honour.

But the Nigerian was an incredible defender in his prime, making more than 200 appearances for Everton over a nine-year spell.

It was his towering header from a corner which put the Toffees back in front in the 64th minute.

Lampard scores a screamer to equalise

Then with ten minutes to go, everything just went a bit mental.

Lampard collected the ball about 25-yards out and took aim, firing a lopping, swerving effort into the top corner.

The 2006/07 matchball had a reputation for doing weird things and the cameraman was perfectly placed to show the untold amount of swaz on the strike.

But that wasn’t even the best goal of the game!

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Drogba wins it with a volley from way out of town

The Chelsea striker might as well have been in the car park when he hit this one.

Only certain players would even attempt a volley from that far out, but Drogba had a habit of pulling off the spectacular around that time.

With the situation seemingly under control, Everton’s defenders allowed the Ivorian room to size one up, and he just blasted it over Howard into the roof of the net.

The wonder goal sent Mourinho racing down the touchline in one of his classic celebrations to cap off a match which literally had everything.

Here’s hoping for more of the same this Saturday lunchtime!

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