CLINICAL CHELSEA
Fabregas and Morata shine against woeful Everton
LONDON while Gylfi Sigurdsson, making his first Premier League start for Everton, was given little chance to shine.
Chelsea keeper Thibaut Courtois was a virtual spectator and the hosts should have won by a clearer margin with Victor Moses and Pedro both guilty of squandering decent chances.
“We must be pleased with the performance. We played a really good game. We dominated and had plenty of chances,” Conte said.
“The only negative thing is we should be more clinical. But there were a lot of positive things.”
Meanwhile, Everton midfielder Muhamed Besic played just hours after learning his father had been shot.
Bosnia star Besic’s dad Meho was reportedly shot in the hand and leg following a dispute in his homeland.
The 46-year-old was said to have been given emergency treatment in the Falesici neighbourhood near Srebrenik.
It remains unclear how seriously Meho has been wounded.
Besic learned of the horrific incident as he prepared for Everton’s trip to Premier League champions Chelsea, but he told Toffees boss Ronald Koeman that he still wanted to be considered for selection.
The 24-year-old started on the bench but came on at half-time and, in the circumstances, delivered a remarkably composed display. Agencies expressed surprise that a crowd of 75,021 fans did not make more noise.
“I didn’t see our first goal. I was talking with Lingard because he was going to be the next player to come in,” said Mourinho.
“When I looked up the ball was in the goal and the players were jumping to celebrate, everyone was jumping around me.
“I knew we’d scored because it was the first time I’d really heard the crowd.
“They were quiet today so I knew it must be a goal because it was the first time the stadium sounded full.”
Mourinho has been a serial champion with Porto, Chelsea, Inter Milan and Real Madrid and says the team spirit in the current United side was forged during pre-season in America.
“‘The group is solid. It is friendly. The group has great empathy,” he said.
“We had a very good pre-season, not only great conditions but also being able to work together 24 hours a day in a beautiful atmosphere in Los Angeles.
“We played against good teams, the best team in Europe (Real Madrid) twice. The pre-season was complete.”
Leicester manager Craig Shakespeare sprung a surprise by withdrawing Jamie Vardy 14 minutes from the end.
“It was tactical,” he confirmed afterwards. “It was hard for him toiling away.” Daily Mail