Conte reflects on same old story as Chelsea disappoint in Everton draw

Outside of three-goal efforts against Newcastle and Huddersfield, Chelsea have averaged less than one goal over the past month’s worth of games. In most games however, it’s not been for a lack of trying. Today’s scoreless effort for example came on the back of 26 shots, and while there’s certainly a chance-quality and shot-selection angle to consider, on most days, 26 shots would enough to at least score a goal, if not always win the game. This is hardly a new phenomenon — Chelsea had at least 17 shots against each of Swansea, Atlético, West Ham, and Southampton, with only 3 goals to show for them (81 total shots) — and all Conte could do was reflect on this same old story afterwards.

“I think when you play this type of game, we shot 26 times with eight on target [you deserve to win]. We hit the bar and the defender [Phil Jagielka] saved on the goal-line so we are disappointed because we deserved to win and take the three points. We have to take the points against a team who, after the top six, I consider the best team in the league.

“We played away, against a good team, with great intensity and concentration and the defenders played very well. It’s a pity, but at the same time it was a really good performance and another clean sheet, but if you want to win this game you must score, be more clinical and take your chances.”

Chelsea certainly dominated all facets of the game at Goodison, but the only thing that counts for points is goals and there were none today, which certainly makes for a frustrating start to the weekend. Both Liverpool and Arsenal dropped points in Friday’s silly 3-3 showcase, so Chelsea also missed an opportunity to put even bigger distance between ourselves and our top four rivals (Manchester United play later today).

“We created many chances to score but we must be more clinical. We were also a bit unlucky when we hit the bar and there were a few situations in the box, but that’s football.”

-Antonio Conte; source: Chelsea FC

That’s football.