"In this kind of game, you have to be clinical" - Enzo Maresca reacts after Chelsea's 0-0 draw against Everton
Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca has rued his side's lack of a clinical edge in their goalless draw away from home against Everton in the Premier League. The Blues saw their eight-game winning run come to an end following the stalemate at Goodison Park on Sunday.
Faced with very windy conditions in Merseyside, Maresca's side failed to score in the Premier League for the first time since losing 2-0 to Manchester City in August. The normally clinical Blues failed to put away their chances against a disciplined Everton defence which gave very little away.
Speaking with the press after the game, former Leicester City coach Maresca rued the lack of space for Cole Palmer to strut his stuff in. He did, however, point out that he was happy with how his team adapted and performed in what he termed a "tricky" fixture.
He said (via @CFCPys):
“It was tough to create chances, there was not space for Cole, In this kind of game, you have to be clinical. I’m absolutely happy, more happy than the Brentford game, it’s tricky game, tricky stadium, tricky team, they’re one of the five best teams defensively in Europe in terms of clean sheets”
Sean Dyche's Everton held Arsenal to a scoreless draw at the Emirates Stadium last week and repeated the feat against Chelsea. The Blues managed to create only three big chances all game, generating an xG of 0.77 (Fotmob).
Everton kept a clean sheet to continue to impress with their defensive set-up as they remain four points above the relegation zone. They have now kept five clean sheets in their last six games, including three consecutively.
Chelsea drop points in windy Merseyside conditions at Everton
Chelsea missed a huge opportunity to go top of the Premier League, at least for a few hours, after their 0-0 draw away to Everton. The league's best side away from home, the Blues were met with a stubborn defensive coordination at Goodison Park and failed to find a way.
Nicolas Jackson missed Chelsea's most presentable early chance as he prodded an effort straight at Jordan Pickford from a Palmer pass. The Senegalese striker then saw an effort come back off the frame of the goal in the first half as he failed to add to his nine league goals.
Chelsea had to rely on goalkeeper Robert Sanchez to deny Jack Harrison from point-blank range. Meanwhile, Tosin Adarabioyo put in a brilliant block to deny Iliman Ndiaye a sure-fire goal. Both sides would have been pleased to pick up a point as they canceled each other out for much of the encounter.
The Blues are second in the standings, four points behind Liverpool who have a game in hand while Everton are 15th.
