Everton - 0 Chelsea - 1 Strains of Chim Chiminee had spilled out on to Bullens Road by the time Wayne Rooney stumbled out of the dressing-room and straight into a bear hug from Ken Bates. After a fruitless and infuriating afternoon, to be smothered by the Chelsea chairman was probably the last thing the teenager needed.

Such is life in Wayne's world these days. Bates may just have been concerned that the fans' adopted ditty from Mary Poppins - "Who needs Wayne Rooney, when we've got Mutu?" - might have jeopardised his chances of an invite to the forward's party on Saturday night. More likely, even Bates could recognise Everton had been mugged.

Roman Abramovich's millions have bought quality and brought luck. Adrian Mutu's winning goal, Geremi's cross brushing from the Romanian's arm on to his head before spluttering almost apologetically into the net, ensured the Londoners remain second in the thick of their three-way tussle for the title. Other chances were missed on the break, the lead only ever precarious until the final whistle brought an eruption of disbelief.

For the most part the visitors heaved under relentless pressure, with only Joe Cole offering much relief, a low shot fizzing just wide of the far post proof of the threat he carried, even if it was his industry that caught the eye.

"It's just nice to be at the top end of the table for a change," said the former West Ham captain. "It's a new experience for me and one that I'm enjoying. I'm happy with the way I'm progressing - it's all about fitness and I'm getting there. A lot's been made of me not featuring, but the boss picks the team and I just try and do the best I can. We didn't play well but the main thing is that Chelsea win, whoever plays, and keep on winning to be up there with Arsenal and Manchester United. Then we will see where we are at the beginning of the summer."

More than likely they will still be among that top trio while, on this evidence and unlike now, Everton will not be flirting with the relegation zone.

Claudio Ranieri admitted he was stunned by the ferocity with which the hosts began each half. But it is 399 minutes since Everton scored a league goal, and Saturday's profligacy included a low shot wide of a post by Tomasz Radzinski after 45 seconds and a Radzinski drive turned aside by Carlo Cudicini 27 seconds after the interval. Between times Alex Nyarko hit the bar with a swirling shot from 25 yards.

"That performance was as good as we've put in all season, though that doesn't make the result any easier to bear," said David Moyes.

Everton's £13 million loss is sure to scupper the manager's chances in the January market. "I'm spent up. It's not that I have to sell to buy - there's no market to sell, so how can I? It's about soldiering on."

But Moyes's luck is sure to turn, as will Rooney's. The 18-year-old appears to be trying too hard, whipping himself up into a frenzy of frustration that is nullifying his impact. There were shots battered in anger, a lob over Cudicini drifting wide, then sheer disbelief as Francis Jeffers nodded Gary Naysmith's cross behind from beneath the bar. Celebrating was probably the last thing on Rooney's mind as he left for his bash at Aintree.

"Younger players go through periods like this," Moyes added. "I've been saying for a while that it would happen but because it's not what people want to hear they've been ignoring it. He will go up and down in his form, but he has done better in his last two games. Maybe he's trying to do too much himself."