CONTE HAS GOT THE WIL TO WIN
Brazil star edges Chelsea into last eight
crisis, once you land in it.’’ Koeman admitted: “I was not doing anything different from what I have been doing in all the years before as a coach.
“During my last season as a manager of Feyenoord, we had a similar awkward period.
“I woke the team up with a different tactical formation, I changed to 5-3-2 and we won seven of our last eight games and qualified for the Champions League. The tactical change woke up the players.
“That is what you need in tough times, players staying close with the manager. You must not lose them and I always make sure I keep the squad together and keep the right connection with them.
“If I look at the intensity of our training sessions at Everton, I had no fear at all that I would lose my grip on the players.
“But, at some stage, you do need to get something back in return from them on the pitch, in the shape of a good victory.
“When that doesn’t happen, you know, as a manager, that your job will depend on the verdict of those above you.”
d.anderson@trinitymirror.com ANTONIO CONTE said he could do without the League Cup – but he could also do without any more setbacks.
So beating Everton to reach the quarter-finals was the lesser of two evils for the Italian and his Chelsea team.
Goals in either half from Antonio Rudiger and Willian helped edge the Premier League champs past Everton as Chelsea continued to recover from their recent wobble.
However, Conte was also grateful to his back-up keeper Willy Caballero for a string of second-half saves that kept his side ahead, before he was finally beaten late on by
Dominic Calvert-lewin.
The Chelsea keeper was a busy man after the break as Everton produced a muchimproved display following caretaker boss David Unsworth’s half-time team talk.
The Toffees’ response was an encouraging sign for Unsworth as he bids to replace Ronald
Koeman, who was axed on Monday, permanently. Sunday’s trip to Leicester will be an even better indication of his credentials.
Unsworth handed first starts of the season to James Mccarthy and Aaron Lennon – also his first since being detained under the Mental Health Act in May – plus a senior debut to midfielder Beni Baningime, 19.
Danny Drinkwater finally made his Chelsea bow after being sidelined with a calf injury since his £35million move from Leicester, alongside full debutant teenager Ethan Ampadu. And there was another rare sight when Chelsea grabbed a 25th-minute lead.
Willian played a corner short to Charly Musonda and his deep cross was met by a back-pedalling and unmarked Rudiger who directed a brilliant header back across goal, over Jordan Pickford and into the top corner.
It was the German defender’s first club goal for almost 18 months.
Everton finally came to life just after the break.
Wayne Rooney saw his close-range volley from Kevin Mirallas’s knockdown blocked by Caballero.
The overworked Argentinian then raced off his line to deny the lively Lennon before pushing away goal-bound efforts from Phil Jagielka and Mirallas.
Jagielka then beat Michy Batshuayi to Rooney’s poor back pass to clear off the line, and sub Ademola Lookman hit the bar for Everton before Brazil star Willian put Chelsea 2-0 up after a one-two with Cesc Fabgregas.
Everton went up the other end and Calvert-lewin pulled a goal back but it was too little, too late.