Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink's superb double strike helped keep Chelsea firmly on course for a Champions League place with victory over woeful Everton.

The Dutchman struck twice from distance in the first half before Gianfranco Zola added a late third in stoppage time to move Chelsea above Newcastle into fourth place in the Premiership having played two games more than their rivals.

Hasselbaink had not scored in four Premiership outings before this match, but he terrorised a shaky Everton defence to underline his claims for the PFA player of the year award.

His first came after 25 minutes when a delicate 25-yard chip beat goalkeeper Steve Simonsen, and he took his tally to 29 for the season with a low piledriver from a similar distance just before half-time.

Everton have not won at Stamford Bridge since 1994, and never even looked like scoring until Tomasz Radzinski and Duncan Ferguson wasted two late chances which could have made it 2-2.

David Moyes' reign at Goodison has been all about goals, but Everton have now conceded 13 in his five games in charge, and the Merseysiders are not yet safe from the drop.

Chelsea should have been in front inside five minutes when Mario Stanic rose to head a searching Hasselbaink cross, but his effort flew inches wide.

Hasselbaink forced Simonsen into a smart low diving save seven minutes later but the home side were dealt a blow when John Terry limped off injured.

Manager Ranieri clearly sensed blood because he threw on winger Boudewijn Zenden as replacement.

And the Dutchman almost made an immediate impact after receiving a neat pass from Hasselbaink. Zenden took aim from 25 yards and fired a blistering shot just wide of the woodwork.

Danish midfielder Gravesen raised Everton spirits, controlling Clarke's header from a corner on his knee and turning Marcel Desailly inside out. But Chelsea keeper Carlo Cudicini was equal to his shot from just inside the box.

And then Hasselbaink took over. His wonderful piece of skill after 25 minutes broke a four-match scoring drought, and he was clearly desperate to get on the scoresheet.

The Dutchman held off the challenge of Steve Watson and received a fortunate rebound off Peter Clarke before skipping past David Weir, who slipped at just the wrong moment.

But there was nothing lucky about his delicately floated chip over the stranded Simonsen from 25 yards.

Everton came close to an equaliser after 41 minutes when Niclas Alexandersson scampered into the box to unleash a fierce drive.

But Cudicini was equal to it, and the stretching Ferguson could only put the rebound wastefully over from close range.

Hasselbaink made him pay moments later with his 23rd Premiership goal of the season.

Zenden played the ball to him from a free-kick 25 yards out and Hasselbaink blasted a swerving low shot into the bottom corner.

Chelsea seemed content to defend their lead after the break with their opponents offering little going forward.

But Alessandro Pistone almost made them pay for failing to finish the game off after 58 minutes.

The Everton full-back beat Stanic to a precise chip from substitute Tobias Linderoth, who had only been on the pitch for four minutes.

And Cudicini did well to save from his sharp shot with an outstretched left foot.

Everton were looking for inspiration from captain Duncan Ferguson up front before his three-match ban for being sent off against Bolton begins.

But the Scotsman was conspicuous by his absence, and strike partner Radzinski was given short shrift by the towering Desailly.

Such was Chelsea's degree of comfort that Ranieri decided to give a Premiership debut to 18-year-old prodigy Carlton Cole, the scorer of a prolific 37 goals for the reserves.

Cole replaced hero Hasselbaink, who was given a standing ovation from the Stamford Bridge faithful, and the teenager forced Weir into a fine block with his first touch.

Everton finally threatened with four minutes remaining, Watson's hopeful punt upfield foxing Desailly for Radzinski to race clear.

But the Canadian international was forced wide by advancing keeper Cudicini, and dragged his effort wide of an open goal.

And Chelsea were fortunate again moments later when Radzinski floated a deep cross to Ferguson, whose shot on the stretch hit the crossbar.

But they made sure in stoppage time when Gianfranco Zola blasted past Simonsen from Gudjohnsen's right-wing cross.

Teams

Chelsea: Cudicini, Melchiot, Desailly, Terry (Zenden 15), Le Saux, Stanic, Petit (Jokanovic 70), Zola, Lampard, Gudjohnsen, Hasselbaink (Cole 77).

Subs Not Used: de Goey, Dalla Bona.

Goals: Hasselbaink 26, 44, Zola 90.

Everton: Simonsen, Watson, Weir, Clarke, Pistone, Alexandersson (Chadwick 77), Gravesen, Gemmill, Blomqvist (Linderoth 55), Ferguson, Radzinski.

Subs Not Used: Gerrard, Moore, Cleland.

Booked: Gravesen.

Att: 40,545

Ref: D Elleray (Harrow-on-the-Hill).