Chelsea edged back into the Champions League places with a one-goal victory over Everton at Stamford Bridge.
The win moves 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 now play leaders Liverpool at Stamford Bridge next Sunday, then visit fellow Champions League chasers Newcastle, before hosting Manchester United, and travelling to Forest on the final day.
Everton have only won one of their past nine matches and remain 13th.
Jackson scores but Sanchez crucial
Chelsea’s last home league game, a damaging 2-2 draw against Ipswich, was notable for the unrest among Chelsea’s supporters over their side’s ponderous play and manager Maresca’s future.
Maresca watched this game from the stands as he served a touchline ban and although Chelsea were far from free-flowing there was no such discontent from those around him this time.
Ultimately, the result was all that mattered for Chelsea.
They lacked creativity from open play – Cole Palmer’s goalless run stretching to 17 games – but to their credit were sharp in their pressing, particularly in the first half.
Their goal came from one such moment from centre-back Trevor Chalobah, who robbed Everton striker Beto in the centre circle, which allowed Enzo Fernandez to feed Jackson to score the winner.
Goalkeeper Sanchez has often been criticised during his time at Chelsea but his saves on Saturday could yet prove crucial.
Beto’s strike came from distance, with McNeil’s flicked towards the bottom left corner from close range with three minutes to play, but on both occasions the Spain international got down well to save.
He received embraces from his team-mates, while the full-time whistle was met by cheers tinged with relief in the stands.
