Enzo Maresca shared his thoughts after Chelsea’s frustrating goalless draw against Everton, a result that left the Blues narrowly behind league leaders Liverpool.
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Despite dominating the Premier League’s scoring charts this season, Chelsea struggled to break down Everton’s resilient defense at Goodison Park on Sunday afternoon.
A win would have put Chelsea one point ahead of Liverpool before their clash with Tottenham, but Maresca’s team had to settle for a single point.
Reflecting on the match, Maresca expressed satisfaction with his team’s efforts:
“That was a real game,” he remarked. “I’m very happy with the boys’ performance. Sometimes, you need to adapt to a different style of play, and today was one of those days.
Everton are one of Europe’s best defensive teams, and playing here is tough—not just for us, but for anyone in the Premier League.”
He even compared this game favorably to last week’s 2-1 victory at Brentford, saying, “I told the players I was happier with today’s performance.
We tried everything, and while there’s always room to improve, this was a solid showing in difficult circumstances.”
Chelsea defender Tosin Adarabioyo echoed his manager’s sentiments, calling the game a challenge: “It was tough. Everton are excellent at keeping clean sheets, and the weather didn’t help in the first half. But we showed fight and confidence and will keep pushing.”
Meanwhile, Everton’s manager Sean Dyche lauded his team’s determination: “Enzo Maresca has done a fantastic job with Chelsea, and we saw the power they possess.
We could have snatched it, but it was a great contest. Both teams worked hard, and chances were limited. I’m proud of how we’ve come through challenges this season. These players have my respect.”
The draw keeps Chelsea in second place, two points ahead of Arsenal, while Everton move four points clear of the relegation zone heading into Christmas.
Looking ahead, Chelsea will aim to bounce back against Fulham on Boxing Day, while Everton face a tough test at the Etihad against a struggling Manchester City.
