Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea homecoming party turned sour as a 1-0 defeat at Everton on Saturday condemned them to their worst start to a Premier League season during the big-spending era of owner Roman Abramovich.
Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea homecoming party turned sour as a 1-0 defeat at Everton on Saturday condemned them to their worst start to a Premier League season during the big-spending era of owner Roman Abramovich.
Steven Naismith celebrated his 27th birthday by heading the winner in first-half injury time before the hosts clung on to secure manager Roberto Martinez’s first victory and inflict Chelsea’s maiden defeat of the campaign.
The Stamford Bridge side missed a host of chances, with Samuel Eto’o and Andre Schurrle particularly culpable, before Steven Naismith headed home the only goal of the game in the 45th minute.
Chelsea pushed Everton back for the vast majority of the second period but could not find a way beyond Tim Howard, despite their possession and the opportunities they created.
“We didn’t deserve it because we were the best team, because we play the best football, because we dominate the whole game, because we had 21 shots, because we risk everything we could…”
“In that sense it is fair to say we deserved to win the game.
Mourinho would not pin the blame on Eto’o, who was making his Premier League debut following his summer switch from Anzhi.
Jose Mourinho says his Chelsea side didn’t deserve to lose to Everton, but was disappointed they didn’t convert more of their chances.
“It was not just him. I think Schurrle has missed three big chances to score, other players also had chances, but I don’t like to be critical,” he added.
And the Blues boss refused to be drawn on Chelsea’s penalty appeal in the second half when Oscar went down following a challenge from Sylvain Distin and Leon Osman.
Writer: Owen Hill
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