Chelsea take on Everton: Form points to convincing win

Chelsea take on Everton this Sunday in another big Premier League clash. Recent history, though, points towards an easy victory for the Blues.

Last time Chelsea and Everton met, it was seen as one of the games that would define Chelsea’s attempt to lift last season’s Premier League crown. The game took place at Goodison Park and the 3-0 victory all but sealed the title.

In a season bereft of the chaos that is currently engulfing the team, the Blues line-up had a familiar feel. Antonio Conte adopted his favoured 3-4-3 formation. The side included a couple of notable absentees from this weekend’s fixture with Diego Costa and Nemanja Matic starting. This time around the Toffees will be missing their striking talisman Romelu Lukaku.

Although this league game effectively only took place seven games ago, the landscape at Chelsea has changed immeasurably. In the run up to the game Antonio Conte was asked which forward he would prefer, Lukaku or Costa. Conte chose the Brazilian born Spanish international, saying he was the best striker in the world. That can now be disregarded.

Chelsea won the game with second half goals from Pedro, Gary Cahill and Willian. The victory maintained a four point lead over title rivals Tottenham with just four games to go.

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After the game Ronald Koeman was full of praise for Idrissa Gueye, a player Chelsea have been linked with in the current transfer window.

"Maybe we didn’t create a lot of chances, but I was happy. Idrissa Gueye played a fantastic game, Hazard was not the player he can be because of the man-marking."

Antonio Conte, on the other hand, was trying to maintain a calmness.

"I must be relaxed when we win but I think it is very important to celebrate this win with the players and fans."

(Quotes via BBC Sport.)

Meanwhile, the corresponding fixture back in November 2016 could only be described as a rout. The 5-0 victory was the Blues best win of the season and saw them climb back to the top of the Premier League for the first time since August. It was a lead that would not be relinquished.

Chelsea started the game with exactly the same line up as the subsequent away fixture, playing the same formation. Two goals from Eden Hazard and one each for Marcos Alonso, Diego Costa and Pedro sealed Everton’s fate.

Ronald Koeman had tried to match Conte’s 3-4-3 formation, a tactic that ultimately failed. Eden Hazard was the star of the show with his manager claiming he was well on his way to becoming a world class player.

Antonio Conte was pleased with his players and spoke after the game and was preaching his hard work mantra.

"It was a great game, a good performance. It is important for confidence to be top of the league. The players deserve this because they show me great commitment and I can tell they are working very hard."

Ronald Koeman, on the other hand was rightly disappointed with his side’s efforts and refused to blame his tactics.

"I expected more from my team. It was a big difference in every aspect. It was not about the system – the difference was the mentality to win the game. With five defenders we control it, after 2-0 it was over."

(Quotes via BBC Sport.)

Whilst Chelsea could have lost these two games against Everton and still won the League, the margin over Tottenham would have been just one point. From the Toffees point of view, the extra six points would have made no difference to their eventual finishing position of 7th.

The game this weekend sees both sides without their top scoring strikers from last season. Their replacements Wayne Rooney and Alvaro Morata have both made good starts with their new clubs. Everton will be buoyed by the chaos that is perceived to be occurring inside Stamford Bridge as much as Chelsea will be by their stunning victory over Tottenham at Wembley. Injury, team suspensions and a general lack of players for Chelsea could affect the outcome.

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One thing that is certain though, Everton will be trying very hard to avoid a repeat last season’s thrashings. Also likely are a few goals, the last seven games have seen 30 goals scored. Stats from those games – Played 7 – Won 4 – Drawn 1 – Lost 2 – Goals For 19 – Goals Against 11