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Comment: Everton Not Ideal Opposition As Chelsea Looks To Bounce Back
David Moyes' side have solid recent record against Saturday's hosts.
Dec 11, 2009 8:27:12 AM
Having stumbled slightly in both domestic and European competitions in recent weeks, Chelsea will welcome Everton to Stamford Bridge on Saturday very hopeful of returning to winning ways.
After all, Carlo Ancelotti has overseen his side take maximum points from their seven home league fixtures this season, with 20 goals scored and just one (on the first day of the season) conceded.
By contrast, the Toffees have endured a fairly torrid time on their travels, with just two wins (against Hull City and Portsmouth) to their credit against five disappointing defeats.
But the unlikely force of APOEL Nicosia proved this week that the Blues are not untouchable at home, and David Moyes’ side are one of the few Premier League teams to have positive memories of recent trips to Stamford Bridge.
After all, the Toffees followed up an encouraging 0-0 draw at Goodison Park last season with an identical result at Stamford Bridge, a testament to the side’s quality, discipline and willingness to rise to the task of keeping out Chelsea’s attack.
In fact, Moyes has overseen his side grab draws on their past three visits to west London, an impressive record that the Scot will be hopeful of continuing — especially having seen his side gain a lot of confidence in their last game as they came back from 2-0 down to grab a dramatic late draw against Tottenham Hotspur.
Yellow peril | Everton stymied Chelsea last term
Nevertheless, with important midfield presence Tim Cahill suspended for Saturday's game, Everton will be without one of their big threats from set-pieces (an area Chelsea have had some problems with this season), while Sylvain Distin and Joseph Yobo are also both doubts at the back.
Those recent problems add to the list of long-term absentees — including Phil Jagielka, Mikel Arteta, Phil Neville and Leon Osman — which sheds some light on why the Merseyside club have struggled in the league so far this season, and suggests they will do very well to keep up their strong record against Chelsea.
One glimmer of hope for their manager might lie upfront, where — if he is feeling sufficiently daring — he will be able to start two from Jo, Yakubu and ‘King’ Louis Saha, who are all now injury free.
Chelsea have a few selection worries of their own, in particular as their driving force in midfield, Michael Essien, is out with the hamstring injury he sustained in midweek.
The 27-year-old has been a vital element of Ancelotti’s diamond this season, but is now unlikely to play again for the Blues until he returns from the Africa Cup of Nations in the New Year.
Salomon Kalou and Jose Bosingwa are also injury absentees, but Carlo Ancelotti has a squad of enviable depth and those losses will not leave him too concerned about a lack of options.
Important loss | Blues must cope without Essien
What he will be concerned about is ensuring his team get back to winning ways. The Italian saw his side drop three of their hard-earned five-point lead at the top of the table last week at Manchester City, but is confident that their reduced advantage will not be further eroded in the coming weeks.
"There is no big problem because we are still top of the list,” Ancelotti told the Evening Standard.
“This is important and we have two matches at home now where we can improve our position. It's a good moment for the team.
"We have lost two games, but one was on penalties [in the League Cup, against Blackburn Rovers] and I think the team is still in a good moment because we have personality, character and very good players. We can win the next games."
A repeat of the result last time the two sides met, at the end of last season for the FA Cup final, will do Ancelotti just fine.
At Wembley in May the Blues overcame the setback of a first-minute goal from Saha, eventually winning the trophy through second-half strikes from Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard.
Final frontier | Chelsea edged it at Wembley
The form book may suggest a sizable Chelsea win, especially considering both Benfica (5-0) and league rivals Manchester United (3-0) have torn the traveling Toffees apart this season while the Blues have also bludgeoned a number of teams (Atletico Madrid, Blackburn, Bolton Wanderers, Wolverhampton Wanderers) into submission in front of their own adoring fans.
But with the Blues coming off a rocky patch while the Toffees take momentum from an inspired comeback against Tottenham last weekend, the Chelsea faithful will no doubt be happy to forgo the sort of bloodbath they have become accustomed to on Saturday as long as their team get their title challenge back on track.
Alex Dimond, Goal.com
For more news on England, visit Goal.com's England section
After all, Carlo Ancelotti has overseen his side take maximum points from their seven home league fixtures this season, with 20 goals scored and just one (on the first day of the season) conceded.
By contrast, the Toffees have endured a fairly torrid time on their travels, with just two wins (against Hull City and Portsmouth) to their credit against five disappointing defeats.
But the unlikely force of APOEL Nicosia proved this week that the Blues are not untouchable at home, and David Moyes’ side are one of the few Premier League teams to have positive memories of recent trips to Stamford Bridge.
After all, the Toffees followed up an encouraging 0-0 draw at Goodison Park last season with an identical result at Stamford Bridge, a testament to the side’s quality, discipline and willingness to rise to the task of keeping out Chelsea’s attack.
In fact, Moyes has overseen his side grab draws on their past three visits to west London, an impressive record that the Scot will be hopeful of continuing — especially having seen his side gain a lot of confidence in their last game as they came back from 2-0 down to grab a dramatic late draw against Tottenham Hotspur.
Yellow peril | Everton stymied Chelsea last term
Nevertheless, with important midfield presence Tim Cahill suspended for Saturday's game, Everton will be without one of their big threats from set-pieces (an area Chelsea have had some problems with this season), while Sylvain Distin and Joseph Yobo are also both doubts at the back.
Those recent problems add to the list of long-term absentees — including Phil Jagielka, Mikel Arteta, Phil Neville and Leon Osman — which sheds some light on why the Merseyside club have struggled in the league so far this season, and suggests they will do very well to keep up their strong record against Chelsea.
One glimmer of hope for their manager might lie upfront, where — if he is feeling sufficiently daring — he will be able to start two from Jo, Yakubu and ‘King’ Louis Saha, who are all now injury free.
Chelsea have a few selection worries of their own, in particular as their driving force in midfield, Michael Essien, is out with the hamstring injury he sustained in midweek.
The 27-year-old has been a vital element of Ancelotti’s diamond this season, but is now unlikely to play again for the Blues until he returns from the Africa Cup of Nations in the New Year.
Salomon Kalou and Jose Bosingwa are also injury absentees, but Carlo Ancelotti has a squad of enviable depth and those losses will not leave him too concerned about a lack of options.
Important loss | Blues must cope without Essien
What he will be concerned about is ensuring his team get back to winning ways. The Italian saw his side drop three of their hard-earned five-point lead at the top of the table last week at Manchester City, but is confident that their reduced advantage will not be further eroded in the coming weeks.
"There is no big problem because we are still top of the list,” Ancelotti told the Evening Standard.
“This is important and we have two matches at home now where we can improve our position. It's a good moment for the team.
"We have lost two games, but one was on penalties [in the League Cup, against Blackburn Rovers] and I think the team is still in a good moment because we have personality, character and very good players. We can win the next games."
A repeat of the result last time the two sides met, at the end of last season for the FA Cup final, will do Ancelotti just fine.
At Wembley in May the Blues overcame the setback of a first-minute goal from Saha, eventually winning the trophy through second-half strikes from Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard.
Final frontier | Chelsea edged it at Wembley
The form book may suggest a sizable Chelsea win, especially considering both Benfica (5-0) and league rivals Manchester United (3-0) have torn the traveling Toffees apart this season while the Blues have also bludgeoned a number of teams (Atletico Madrid, Blackburn, Bolton Wanderers, Wolverhampton Wanderers) into submission in front of their own adoring fans.
But with the Blues coming off a rocky patch while the Toffees take momentum from an inspired comeback against Tottenham last weekend, the Chelsea faithful will no doubt be happy to forgo the sort of bloodbath they have become accustomed to on Saturday as long as their team get their title challenge back on track.
Alex Dimond, Goal.com
For more news on England, visit Goal.com's England section
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