LONDON • Maurizio Sarri has accused his side of switching off mentally as Chelsea provided Everton's first top-six scalp in 26 games, a run dating back to January 2017.
Speaking after their 2-0 Premier League loss at Goodison Park on Sunday, the Italian also expressed his fears that a top-four place may be beyond his team if he cannot rectify their "mental block".
He said: "At the moment this is our limit. In my opinion, the first 45 minutes were the best we have played all season, then in the second half, we stopped playing.
"We forgot how to defend, forgot how to counter-attack and that is a problem for us, because even if you don't score, you have to stay in the match."
Chelsea, who have now failed to score in eight of 30 league games, could have been three or four goals up at half-time, and Sarri was perplexed by the collective drop in standards that saw Everton take control of the game after the break.
"We were good up to the last minute of the first half and bad from the first minute of the second," the Blues manager said.
"I'm worried about our mentality, the situation is clear. We were in control of the game, all we had to do was continue, and we could not do that.
Premier League talking points
1 MADDISON STARS FROM THE WING
Brendan Rodgers has not yet been at Leicester for three weeks, but suffice to say, he was not surprised when James Maddison opened the scoring at Burnley with an inch-perfect free kick.
With the manager hailing him as a "top-level player" before describing his ability at set pieces as "not by accident", the midfielder's efforts were all the more admirable as illness kept him up on Friday night. The 22-year-old also showed his adaptability at Turf Moor, excelling at finding space when cutting infield from his new role on the left.
2 CHICHARITO THE GAME CHANGER
The joys of Javier Hernandez have been well documented over the years - he can score goals inside the penalty box and little else.
Some managers have become frustrated with his limitations, meaning he struggled to be a regular at Manchester United and now West Ham.
But the Mexico striker, more commonly known as Chicharito, showed his worth as the focal point of the attack, with his brace against Huddersfield changing the dynamic of the game for the hosts.
3 NEWCASTLE POUNCE IN STOPPAGE TIME
Rafael Benitez has moulded his Newcastle side into one of the most committed in the league and their never-say-die attitude was reinforced at Bournemouth when they scored a goal in added time in both halves.
Salomon Rondon's free-kick goal was the result of a counter-attack from a corner when many other teams would have been happy just to clear the ball at that stage.
Matt Ritchie then smashed in their second to equalise moments before the final whistle, a testament to the battling qualities that should keep the Magpies up.Â
THE GUARDIAN
"It's very difficult for players to explain to me the change. Very difficult for me to explain to you the change.
"If you are asking me about the top four, I would say it depends on whether you are speaking about the first half or the second.
"It will be hard to reach the top four now, but I would not say impossible.
"If we can play like we did in the first half for eight matches, we will give ourselves a chance."
His opposite number Marco Silva was, however, delighted his players had "showed our real selves" in the second half.
The Portuguese also accepted Everton found the initial stages tough going, but played down his role in his team later producing a performance of far greater intensity.
Richarlison opened the scoring in the 49th minute before Gylfi Sigurdsson tucked home the rebound in the 72nd minute after his penalty kick was saved.
The Toffees manager said: "What I said at the interval was simple. I said, in the second half, we just have to do everything different."
Asked about the statistic that Everton's last victory over a "Big Six" opponent came under Ronald Koeman against Manchester City, Silva claimed to be unaware.
He added: "I didn't know it had been so long, but all I want to say is that it cannot happen again. This is too big a club for that to happen."
Separately, Chelsea have lodged an official complaint with Uefa after forward Callum Hudson-Odoi was allegedly subjected to racist abuse late on during their Europa League last-16 victory at Dynamo Kiev last week.
He was apparently on the receiving end of monkey chants close to the final whistle and European football's governing body will be expected to launch a formal probe.
"We wholeheartedly condemn such abhorrent behaviour," a Chelsea spokesman said.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, THE GUARDIAN
Cristiano Ronaldo insists there is nothing to fear after suffering a hamstring injury in Portugal's 1-1 draw against Serbia on Monday, adding that he is "not worried" about it going forward.
Cristiano Ronaldo vows to return in 2 weeks amid fears of
A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on February 23, 2019, with the headline 'Fit-again Kane ready to make 'massive impact''. Print Edition | Subscribe.
Fit-again Kane ready to make 'massive impact'
BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 1 CHELSEA 2. Chelsea hold on against Brighton to consolidate top four spot. 3 Min Read. Soccer Football - Premier League - Brighton & Hove Albion v Chelsea - The
Chelsea hold on against Brighton to consolidate top four spot
Players acknowledge fans and celebrate after Juventus secured its 8th consecutive Italian Serie A title in Turin on Saturday. Football Juventus win eighth Serie A title in a row.
Juventus win eighth successive Serie A title | Sports News
Despite recognising the fallen state of man and nature, Hopkins continued to believe in the salvation of Christ and the ultimate joy of being reunited with God. He succeeds in the end in recovering for himself a world like that of Eden before the Fall, an accomplishment which, despite all his protestations and efforts, Arnold never wholly achieves.
Gre in Literature Flashcards | Quizlet
Chelsea can cope with transfer ban, says Sarri. celebrates with teammates after scoring the opening goal of the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Brighton and Hove
Chelsea Can Cope With Transfer Ban - Sarri | Sportnaija
As Singapore legend Kadir Yahaya looks to guide Tampines first-team head coach Gavin Lee to a successful season, he urged all local football coaches to show more respect and dedication to their role.
An increase in SPL local coaches, but Kadir Yahaya urges for
Defender Jan Vertonghen scored once and set up another goal for Son Heung-min as Tottenham Hotspur beat Borussia Dortmund 3-0 at Wembley Stadium on Wednesday to give them the clear edge following
Vertonghen shines as Tottenham beat Dortmund 3-0 - SuperSport
adtest.supersport.com/football/uefa-champions-league/news/190214/Vertonghen_shines_as_Tottenham_beat_Dortmund_30
Defender Jan Vertonghen scored once and set up another goal for Son Heung-min as Tottenham Hotspur beat Borussia Dortmund 3-0 at Wembley Stadium on Wednesday to give them the clear edge following the first leg of their last 16 Champions League tie. > > > HIGHLIGHTS from all the Premier League games . . .
Football: Vertonghen shines as Tottenham beat Dortmund 3-0
PSG miss chance to wrap up French title after goal-line howler with Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting's incredible miss from on the goal-line costing his team dear. Troubled PSG throw away lead
Clockwatch + La Liga | The Guardian
Newcastle are headed in the other direction as once again they were inspired by the performance of record signing Miguel Almiron to end Burnley's eight-game unbeaten Premier League run with a 2
Leicester Welcome Rodgers With Win, Newcastle End Burnley Run
Pep Guardiola believes Manchester City must beat Liverpool on Thursday in order to maintain their Premier League title bid. City shook off consecutive defeats to coast past Southampton 3-1 at St
Man City bounces back but Guardiola says it must beat
Japanese referee Yoshimi Yamashita and assistants Makoto Bozono and Naomi Teshirogi will officiate the AFC Cup match between Myanmar's Yangon United and Cambodia's Naga World at the Thuwunna
History made as women to referee men's AFC Cup clash
Football: Klopp relaxed about Salah's Liverpool drought
REIMS, France, June 8 (Reuters) - Ada Hegerberg was not needed as Norway kicked off their women's World Cup Group A campaign with a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Nigeria on Saturday.
Soccer: Hegerberg-less Norway canter past Nigeria - Edge Page
A lot of work to do. Defensively, I like that we won the ball higher up the pitch at times. But we still look like we can't keep up with the opposition when we have to defend in our half. And the passing out the back was not very good. Cech is not cut out for this level anymore. And Bellerin continues to look below average.
Arsenal transfer news: 'Gunners, Crystal Palace and Leicester
0 comments:
Post a Comment