Chelsea had John Terry sent off at Goodison Park but were able to hold Everton to a goalless draw.
The Blues relinquish their 100 per cent away record and miss the opportunity to sit top of the Premier League table at Christmas, while the Toffees remain in the European hunt despite their failure to breach 10-men.
The hosts began the game in the more positive fashion, making a mockery of their failings on home turf this season.
However, despite Phil Neville and Marouane Fellaini keeping Petr Cech on his toes, the Chelsea rearguard was rarely threatened.
The Blues then grew in confidence as the half wore on, with Joe Cole causing panic on more than one occasion.
It was, though, on 35 minutes that the game suddenly sprang to life, with Terry dismissed for a reckless challenge on Leon Osman.
The England skipper's lunge on the Toffees midfielder was high and late, leaving referee Phil Dowd with no option but to brandish a red card.
Unsurprisingly, David Moyes' men dominated proceedings after the break, with the Chelsea goalmouth living a charmed existence.
Fellaini sent another header straight at Cech, while Tony Hibbert saw an attempted cross flick off Frank Lampard and come agonisingly close to finding the top corner.
Leighton Baines' 80th minute cross deserved a final touch, but no blue shirt was on hand to provide it.
Then, with five minutes left on the clock, Everton thought they had forced a breakthrough as Steven Pienaar bundled the ball over the line following an almighty scramble in the six-yard box.
However, the linesman's flag cut the celebrations short and both sides were forced to settle for a point after an enthralling night of action on Merseyside.
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