RECORD BREAKER
But Chelsea can’t celebrate Sarri moment with a win
Maurizio Sarri set a Premier League record as Chelsea stretched their unbeaten run but found little else to celebrate as his team’s inability to convert chances ate away at his peace of mind.
Sarri, who has not lost in a dozen games and eclipsed Frank Clark’s start to his career at Nottingham Forest in 1994, watched his side dominate the second half without finding a way past Jordan Pickford.
Marcos alonso, alvaro Morata and Eden Hazard were all frustrated by Everton’s defensive resilience and their England goalkeeper.
Chelsea lost ground on the league leaders and will face Tottenham at Wembley in their first fixture after the international break aware they will be leapfrogged by their London rivals if they lose.
With such a daunting pace set at the top of the Premier League every point let slip by a title challenger drops with a resounding clang. ‘i am really very proud about the record,’ said Sarri. ‘i have to say thank you to the club and to my players, but i’d prefer three points.
‘The average (total) of Manchester City and Liverpool is very high. i think about 100 points. So it is very difficult to stay close to these teams.
‘But in the Premier League this kind of match can happen to any team. i hope in future it will happen to others.’
Everton have not won a league game at Stamford Bridge since 1994 but made a positive start, exerting pressure as tempers flared and tackles flew.
Jorginho was booked for a nasty foul on Gylfi Sigurdsson which Marco Silva thought might rule the icelander out of the international games.
alonso sank his studs into Theo Walcott’s ankle and Yerry Mina, making his first Premier League start, was booked after felling Hazard.
The flashpoint between antonio rudiger and Bernard just before half-time summed up the niggly nature of the first 45 minutes. it started when Willian slid to take the ball from Bernard and rudiger leaned over the Everton striker with some choice words about his over-reaction.
Bernard sprang to his feet and thrust his head towards the Chelsea centre half’s chin. The height different gave it a comical twist but rudiger fell and rolled around holding his nose until referee Kevin Friend paid him some attention.
Both players were booked and neither manager made much of a fuss about it. ‘ You think Bernard, at that size, could do something?’ said Silva.
Bernard fired the game’s first effort wide from the edge of the penalty area and alonso was closest for Chelsea in the first half, with a free- kick which fizzed wide, then a spectacular volley from an acute angle which was beaten away by Pickford.
The quality improved after the interval with Chelsea on top and Hazard more influential.
‘We played at another speed and another intensity,’ said Sarri. ‘i don’t think it’s a physical problem. Maybe it’s a mental problem. it’s difficult to answer.
‘in the last three matches we created few goal opportunities in relation to how we have played.’ Pickford saved from Morata only 11 seconds after the restart, then twice in quick succession to deny Hazard. Willian pulled a shot across goal and alonso thumped a flashing drive into the base of a post.
at the other end, Sigurdsson’s swerving 30-yarder forced Kepa arrizabalaga into his first save of the game. Bernard got in a tangle when Sigurdsson’s cross reached him at the back post and could not even fashion an effort at goal. Morata found the net from a cross by Cesar azpilicueta only to see the goal correctly ruled out for offside.
Hazard stabbed another effort wide as nerves jangled and ross Barkley came on to jeers from the away supporters, but they turned into cheers as Everton protected the clean sheet.
‘We deserved a point,’ said Silva, who eased fears surrounding richarlison after the Brazil striker was forced off with a groin injury late on.
‘He had a small problem in the week and was a doubt up until the match. He started to feel it getting worse but it is nothing special,’ he said.
CHELSEA (4-3-3): Arrizabalaga 6; Azpilicueta 6.5, Rudiger 7, Luiz 6, Alonso 7; Kante 6.5, Jorginho 6 (Fabregas 64min, 6), Kovacic 6.5 (Barkley 81); Willian 6.5 (Pedro 68, 6), Morata 6, Hazard 7. Subs not used: Caballero, Christensen, Zappacosta, Giroud. Booked: Jorginho, Kante, Rudiger, Morata.
Manager: Maurizio Sarri 6. EVERTON (4-2-3-1): PICKFORD 7.5; Coleman 6.5, Keane 6.5, Mina 6.5, Digne 6.5; Gomes 6.5, Gueye 7; Walcott 6, Sigurdsson 6.5 (Jagielka 76, 6), Bernard 5 (Lookman 64, 5); Richarlison 6 (Calvert-Lewin 89). Subs not
used: Stekelenburg, Baines, Davies, Tosun. Booked: Mina, Bernard, Pickford.
Manager: Marco Silva 6. Referee: Kevin Friend 6.
Attendance: 40,345.