Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti is excited to defeat his former side, Chelsea, in front of the home supporters as they return to Goodison Park for the first time since COVID-19 interruption.
Gylfi Sigurðsson 22nd minute penalty gave Everton the edge over Frank Lampard’s men after Edouard Mendy fouled Dominic Calvert-Lewin in the Blues’ box.
Speaking after the game, Ancelotti said: “I am really pleased, in front of our supporters. We are really happy for them. They have seen a good match from Everton. We played well with fantastic spirit.
“Defensively we did really well. The team sacrificed. That was the target, because against the tough teams like Chelsea you have to sacrifice.
“We were dangerous on the counter and we didn’t concede many opportunities. We deserved to win.”
Although Mendy’s error caused the visitors the win, Lampard declined to blame his goalkeeper.
“I don’t think Mendy was just culpable. But he has been outstanding so far. So, I will take that.
“When teams play long with one of the best strikers in the league, you have to suffer the moments and get through,” Lampard said.
Though his side remain third in the table, the former Chelsea midfielder dismissed suggestions that they were title challengers alongside leaders Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool.
“You have to look at the teams winning it the last three or fours years — they have wingers, strikers scoring 30, 40 goals and winners of Premier League and Champions League,” he said.
“Coming here to this place, they (Everton) were up for a result and we did not pass the test. We will in the future.”(Reuters/WuzupNigeria)
