Didier Drogba's 32nd goal of the season was enough for Chelsea to equal Liverpool's 63-match unbeaten home record against Everton at Stamford Bridge.

Drogba's goal cancelled out James Vaughan's shock opener in the 49th minute but the Ivorian's leveller was shrouded in controversy.

Everton manager David Moyes was furious that referee Mark Halsey failed to punish Paulo Ferreira for a challenge on Mikel Arteta in the build-up to Chelsea's goal.

Moyes raced onto the pitch after Drogba had finished off a cross from Shaun Wright-Phillips and after being recalled by the fourth official, Halsey sent the Everton boss to the stands.

Chelsea's unbeaten run pre-dates coach Jose Mourinho's arrival in the summer of 2004 with Arsenal the last team to defeat the Blues on home soil in February of that year.

But they have now matched Liverpool's glorious run at Anfield which was set between 1978 and 1981.

Everton, with a place in Europe next season already assured, were not expected to push the FA Cup finalists but Lee Carsley sent an early volley into the arms of Petr Cech inside the opening minute.

But Chelsea's Jon Obi Mikel was much more of a threat three minutes later when his right-foot shot from 25-yard brought a spectacular save from Tim Howard.

The Everton goalkeeper was forced to tip his effort over the crossbar as the ball headed for the top corner.

Cech was much more comfortable with a dipping volley from Vaughan but Everton demonstrated plenty of attacking verve in the opening quarter.

But Drogba almost added to his 31-goal tally when he sent a right-foot effort just over the bar in the 14th minute.

It was Salomon Kalou's turn to test Howard moments later when his mazy run into the penalty area was finished off with a low drive which forced the Everton keeper to dive low to his right to keep out.

In the 28th minute Joe Cole almost broke the deadlock after collecting the ball from Kalou's run down the left-flank.

But the England midfielder's low drive was deflected beyond Howard's right-hand upright much to the relief of the Everton goalkeeper.

Drogba was beginning to get the upper hand in his battle with Alan Stubbs and but after getting clear of the Everton defender once more in the 31st minute, he failed to hit the target with an angled drive which

flashed past the post.

Chelsea were unable to make the most of their first-half dominance and on numerous occasions they failed to supply a telling final ball when it mattered.

Ferreira and Wright-Phillips were both guilty of failing to supply a decent cross into the penalty area and consequently Everton dealt with the threat easily.

Kalou, who had been a willing trier during the first half, was upended by Phil Neville when he raced towards the edge of the penalty area three minutes before the break.

The foul was committed in a perfect place for Drogba to try an open the scoring with a 22-yard free-kick but the Ivorian's effort missed the target.

Everton stunned the deposed champions by taking the lead in the 49th minute.

Mikel failed to stop the advancing Leon Osman in midfield and the Everton player ran on to provide Vaughan with a perfect pass.

The Everton striker found himself unmarked and with plenty of time to slide the ball under Cech to put Chelsea's dream of equalling Liverpool's 63-match unbeaten home record in real jeopardy.

They were almost caught out a second time three minutes later when Boulahrouz was again found wanting in defence.

This time Arteta got free on the right and his cross was volleyed towards the corner by the acrobatic Vaughan. However, Cech came to Chelsea's rescue by punching the ball to safety.

But Chelsea equalised in controversial circumstances in the 57th minute.

Everton manager David Moyes was furious Ferreira's challenge on Arteta went unpunished and it was compounded seconds later when Wright-Phillips crossed for Drogba to level with his 20th Premiership goal of the campaign.

Moyes ran on to the pitch to confront Halsey and after being recalled by the fourth official, was then sent to the stands for his protest.

But Everton still posed a real threat and Joseph Yobo was unlucky when he failed to direct his header on target in the 65th minute.

The Everton defender took advantage of Cech's hesitancy but his effort went over the bar.

But worryingly for Chelsea, they lost Mikel in the 74th minute with an injury which could jeopardise the Nigerian's chances of playing in the FA Cup final against Manchester United next Saturday.

Teams:

Chelsea Cech, Ferreira, Boulahrouz, Terry,Bridge (Hutchinson 89), Lampard, Mikel (Morais 74),Joe Cole (Sahar 70), Wright-Phillips, Drogba, Kalou.

Subs Not Used: Hilario, Lee Sawyer.

Booked: Bridge, Joe Cole.

Goals: Drogba 57.

Everton Howard, Hibbert, Yobo, Stubbs, Lescott, Osman,Fernandes (McFadden 77), Neville, Carsley, Arteta,Vaughan (Beattie 72).

Subs Not Used: Turner, Naysmith, Nuno Valente.

Booked: Carsley.

Goals: Vaughan 50.

Att: 41,746

Ref: M Halsey (Lancashire).