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.
