We suffered mental blank says Maurizio
MAURIZIO SARRI believes his Chelsea players have a mental block – and that is why they are not ready to match leaders Manchester City and Liverpool.
The Italian extended his unbeaten start to Premier League management to a record 12 games but that was not much consolation for a frustrated Sarri after this bad-tempered, niggly clash.
Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford pulled off a string of fine saves to defy a below-par Chelsea.
But the Merseysiders could have had winger Bernard sent off for a headbutt on Antonio Rudiger while Chelsea midfielder Jorginho was also lucky not to pick up a red card for a crude lunge on Gylfi Sigurdsson which has put him out of Iceland’s games with Belgium and Qatar.
Sarri also had a touchline wrangle with Everton manager Marco Silva as tempers flared with the visitors grinding out a determined draw.
The Chelsea manager, who broke the record set by Nottingham Forest boss Frank Clark in 1994, said: “I don’t think the problem is physical, because in the last two or three matches, the effort was the same. Maybe it is a mental problem. We have difficulties approaching the match from a mental point of view.
“During a championship like the Premier League, a match like this can happen to any team. Right now, the average of points of Manchester City and Liverpool is very high. They are on course for about 100 points. So it’s very difficult to stay close to these teams.
“We can do better but we are playing very well. I am really very proud about the record. I have to say thank you to the club, to my players and staff. But, of course, I’d prefer three points.
“As I said to my players, in the last three matches we created few goal opportunities in relation to how well we played. Maybe it’s a little problem.” As for the bust-up with Silva, he said: “It was a normal discussion. At the end there was absolutely nothing between me and Marco. It’s normal on the pitch to be nervous. There was a referee. It’s his job.” In a tight game, chances were at a premium. Bernard shot wide early on but Marcos Alonso curled a free-kick past the post. The Spanish full-back then forced the first of several excellent saves from Pickford, with an angled volley that the England goalkeeper did superbly to tip over the bar. Just before half-time came the clash between Bernard and Rudiger. The 5ft3in Brazilian did make contact and Rudiger, who is exactly a foot taller, went down as if poleaxed but referee Kevin Friend chose only to book both men. Pickford defied Alvaro Morata from close range before Sigurdsson’s shot had to be turned over by Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.
The Londoners escaped a penalty when Rudiger seemed to handle in the area and then Bernard fluffed a great chance at the far post.
Chelsea, though, were better after the break. Willian shot wide and Eden Hazard saw his shot pushed round the post by Pickford, who then tipped over the Belgian’s deflected shot. Alonso also clipped the post and Hazard drove wide.
Silva said, laughing: “People think Bernard, at that size, could do something? I didn’t see it.
“We have already played twice with 10 men this season. But what did people think about Jorginho’s tackle?
“We deserved a point. Our players didn’t give Chelsea the chance to create much. We had our chances.”