da fazobetai： Chelsea host Everton this afternoon, looking to get back to winning ways after a frustrating draw with West Brom in midweek. Interim boss Guus Hiddink has insisted the Blues are not out of the woods yet when it comes to a relegation scrap, bleakly reminding fans of their miserable season after a period of relative good form.
da betcris： The fallen Premier League champions are unbeaten since Jose Mourinho was axed in mid-December, though only two of the five games since have been wins. Hiddink retains the vain hope of reaching the Champions League qualification spots, though they lie 12 points off Spurs in 4th, making a win today imperative.
Everton, who played a huge part in the summer that lay been between Chelsea’s coronation and their capitulation, start the day four points ahead of the Blues. Plus they have John Stones. A well-earned draw against Manchester City precedes today’s game, surely giving this talented young Toffees side confidence.
The history books however, are not with Roberto Martinez and his charges. In fact, he’s endured a pretty miserable record against the West Londoners, as have his predecessors.
Here are SEVEN facts you NEED to know about Chelsea vs Everton.
TOTAL DOMINANCE
Chelsea may have succumbed to a Steven Naismith hat-trick at Goodison Park earlier this season, but Stamford Bridge has proved to have been a bit of a fortress against the Toffees.
In 20 Premier League matches between the two at the venue, the Blues have never lost. They’ve won a pretty formidable 11 of those games, drawing the other 9.
IN IT FOR THE LONG HAUL
While that’s obviously a strong record, perhaps it doesn’t depict the whole story accurately. Over the last two meetings in SW6, the hosts have won the game very late on.
In fact, they’ve edged the results 1-0 on each occasions, scoring their goals in the 89th and 90th minute respectively. Martinez must instil more concentration into his side if he’s to eradicate such an issue.
MARTINEZ MISERY
Everton as a whole may not have the greatest record against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, though Roberto Martinez endures an even worse one. The former Wigan and Swansea manager has never won as an opposition coach at the ground.
In all SIX of his meetings against a succession of Chelsea counterparts, the Spaniard has lost every single time.
PEGGED BACK
Martinez, however, has surely never pitted his wits against such an out of sorts incarnation of the Blues in his managerial career thus far. While we associate closing games down and grinding results out with Chelsea, little of that has been on show during this most torrid of campaigns.
No side has DROPPED more points from leading positions than the Stamford Bridge outfit this season, losing 12 altogether. That’s the numerical gap between 14th (their current standing), and 4th!
Just for an added bit of context, they only dropped 15 during the entirety of last season.
ROM’S REDEMPTION
Former Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku was sold under Jose Mourinho after failing to break the first-team, though was given little chance to in his defence. Upon leaving, doubts has arisen over the 21-year old’s attitude and application.
However, this season, the bustling Belgian has proved what a talent he really is. The £28m Everton forward only needs TWO goals to equal his best ever Premier League tally of 17 in a season.
His success has been in stark contrast to the struggles of Diego Costa and Radamel Falcao.
WISH UPON AWAY DAYS
We’ve mentioned how Stamford Bridge has not offered up much joy to travelling Everton fans over the years, though today could represent their best chance of leaving with three points.
The Toffees have been in fine fettle on the road this season, coming to life when playing away from Merseyside. They’ve lost just ONE of their 10 away games this term, winning THREE and drawing the other SIX.
BARK’S GOT BITE
Ross Barkley has had a fairly inconsistent career so far, though the 22-year old clearly possesses an abundance of talent. The England international was a disappointment last season, after breaking into the Three Lions World Cup squad with some amazing displays during his breakout season the previous year.
However, the Everton star is reminding us all of just what he can do this time round. NO other English player in the Premier League has assisted more goals for teammates this season. In total, he’s laid on SEVEN goals for those around him.
Encouraging for both club AND country ahead of Euro 2016.
WE’VE GOT A LEAK
Chelsea’s defence is usually a sight to be marvelled, as it was during last season’s title triumph. John Terry marshalled the backline in ways we thought were lost in time, while Gary Cahill proved to be excellent foil to the Stamford stalwart. Throw an emerging Kurt Zouma into the mix and the terms unbreakable and invincible come to mind.
Fast forward a few months, however, and it’s like their impeccably solid foundations have crumbled beneath the weight of a Premier League crown. The Blues have conceded 31 times ALREADY, over the course of 21 games!
That’s their highest EVER total at this stage of the season.