Conte bemoans ‘unfair’ result as Chelsea stutter
LONDON: Chelsea missed the chance to move level on points in the Premier League with second-placed Manchester United as Everton maintained their improvement under Sam Allardyce in a 0-0 draw at Goodison Park on Saturday.
It marked a sixth game unbeaten for Everton under the former England boss, but Chelsea’s failure to convert possession into goals will not have disappointed Blues manager Antonio Conte, who did not feel the result was a fair reflection of his side’s dominance.
Conte has already conceded his inconsistent team won’t be able to defend the Premier League title and this was another frustrating afternoon for the Italian as the Blues squandered their territorial superiority.
“I think we dominated the game and had lots of chances to score,” Conte told Sky Sports. “I think this result is unfair. Everton deserve credit, but we deserved to win. “We dominated the game and it is a pity to drop two points. It is normal to drop points with a poor performance, but not today.”
Initially, it looked like being an encouraging day for Conte as Chelsea quickly established a pattern of complete dominance. It took an impressive double goal-line clearance by veteran defender Phil Jagielka to deny the visitors what would have been a deserved lead.
The Everton captain read the situation perfectly as Marcos Alonso's cross flew through the home area after 10 minutes, reacting sharply to block Tiemoue Bakayoko's effort. Jagielka then responded even more impressively as Willian looked certain to convert the rebound, the defender positioning himself to keep out the follow-up effort in similar fashion.
Yet for all their superiority in those opening stages, Chelsea struggled to carve out many meaningful chances to trouble home keeper Jordan Pickford.
It was easy to see the impact Allardyce has made since his arrival at Goodison Park although Everton were not helped by the pre-match loss of in-form Wayne Rooney due to illness. In the absence of the 10-goal forward, Everton’s attacking play was likely to be hindered and so it proved, with Chelsea keeper Thibaut Courtois a virtual spectator.
Allardyce made a major reshuffle at the interval, bringing on Sandro and Ashley Williams as he switched to three central defenders, a move that proved something of a gamble when he lost Idrissa Gueye to injury within five minutes of the restart and was forced to use his final substitute.
By then, Chelsea had already threatened Pickford’s goal, with the keeper saving well from Pedro's drive before Williams did well to block Alonso’s effort. There was some anxiety for the visitors when Hazard was hacked down and required lengthy treatment, with Michael Keane booked for the foul.
But the Belgian quickly shook off the effects of the injury and was soon forcing Pickford into another fine diving save after receiving a pass from Willian.
Williams got his head to Victor Moses’ fierce 75th minute cross, deflecting it onto the Everton bar before it flew out of harm’s way. There was also a late chance for substitute Cesc Fabregas when Jagielka stuck out a foot and deflected his powerful, long-range shot just wide.
“In terms of effort, commitment, organization, we have played a hugely talented front five and have had a bit of luck, but rolled up our sleeves to get a result,” Alladyce said of his side’s endeavor. “It keeps the undefeated run going and you have to respect a point against the big boys.”