After a two week international break, the Premiership resumes with Everton hosting Chelsea at Goodison Park this Saturday. The corresponding fixture last season produced NINE goals, with Chelsea triumphing 6-3 in a thoroughly entertaining clash that saw five goals scored in ten second half minutes. The Blues however come into this game on the back of some very indifferent form that has seen them drop points at home to Swansea and Crystal Palace, and are currently 13th in the table. Everton are 9th in the table with 5 points, having drawn against Watford and Spurs and beaten Southampton.
The loss to Palace prompted manager Jose Mourinho to criticise his key players, including last season’s PFA Player of the Year winner Eden Hazard. The Belgian also drew flak from his national coach Marc Wilmots, who called him the “worst player on the night” despite the latter scoring a late winner for the Red Devils in European qualifying against Cyprus.
Hazard, on his part, has said that “everyone wants to kill Chelsea“, alluding to the fact that teams are stepping up a level while playing the Blues. It has certainly not been the best of starts to the new season for Chelsea, who are already eight points behind leaders Man City despite being heavily tipped to be favourites at the beginning of the season. Stamford Bridge is a mini fortress under Mourinho, and the loss to Palace was only Chelsea’s second in 100 leagues games at home under their Portuguese gaffer.
Belgian goalkeeper Thibault Courtois is also a serious doubt for Chelsea, having injured his knee in training. Chelsea do have a capable back up in Begovic, but will also need to shore up their defence- their nine goals conceded so far makes them the second worst defensive team in the league after bottom of the table Sunderland. It’s not a record Mourinho will be proud of, and their backline, Branislav Ivanovic in particular, need to pull their socks up.
Many eyes will also be on Everton youngster John Stones, heavily linked with Chelsea in the recently concluded transfer window. Stones has remained at Goodison Park and is expected to pen a new deal, but has reportedly asked for a £38 million release clause. With many expecting Stones to make the move sooner rather than later, Saturday will represent a big opportunity for the youngster to impress his potential future employers. Another player Everton fans will be keen to observe will be their new signing Ramiro Funes Mori, with the Argentine in line to make his debut if Brendan Galloway or Bryan Oviedo fail their fitness tests.
Everton recent form (league)- DLWD
Chelsea recent form (league)- LWLD
Last five Premiership games at Goodison Park between Everton and Chelsea
Everton 3-6 Chelsea
Everton 1-0 Chelsea
Everton 1-2 Chelsea
Everton 2-0 Chelsea
Everton 1-0 Chelsea
As you can see, Goodison Park is not a place that Chelsea supporters will take three points for granted. They’ll need to play far better than they have so far and give Oscar a birthday present (he turned 24 on September 9!)
