Chelsea keep clean sheet but left flank is accident waiting to happen

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  • Chelsea missed out on a ninth Premier League win this season as Everton held them to a 0-0 draw at Stamford Bridge.

    The encounter was a rather feisty one with both sets of players flying into challenges.

    Marcos Alonso hit the upright in the second half while Willian and Alvaro Morata missed chances too as the home team had to settle for a share of the spoils.

    CHELSEA LEFT EXPOSED

    When it comes to watching Chelsea, one flank is notably more entertaining than the other. With Eden Hazard, Marcos Alonso and either Mateo Kovacic or Ross Barkley operating down that side, it’s hardly surprising. Against Everton, Hazard was again the best player, creating a host of chances while the fact that Alonso was the greatest goal threat from left-back indicates just how enterprising the Blues are down that flank.

    It’s great watching the Spanish full-back fly forward but with Hazard offering no defensive support and Kovacic the more attacking of the two midfielders on either side of Jorginho, Alonso’s flank is regularly exposed.

    Everton’s best attacks came from exploiting that space with the cross in for Bernard – who managed to only strike the ball into the ground beneath him – standing out. It seems like a common theme with Chelsea wherein the best strategy to expose them is by exploiting that left side, getting to the byline and delivering balls in.

    The fact that David Luiz is the left-sided centre-back and should be shuttling across to cover for Alonso is no comfort. The Brazilian is hardly the most alert or defensively astute centre-back and his lack of awareness while the void to his left steadily grows is staggering.

    Arsenal exposed Chelsea’s weakness earlier in the season and should’ve done so with greater efficiency but for some shoddy finishing. It’s a wonder that more teams haven’t taken advantage.

    Marcos Alonso (r)

    Marcos Alonso (r)

    BLUE STREAK

    They may be defensively suspect but they’ve been getting away with it so far. The Blues registered their sixth clean sheet of the season against the Toffees and remain the only unbeaten team across all competitions in Europe’s top five leagues.

    It still means they dropped two points at home and fell further behind Manchester City and Liverpool. However, there’s plenty of positives to take from extending this superb run.

    Maurizio Sarri continues to enjoy a charmed life since taking over at the Bridge. He’s set a new managerial record for the best unbeaten run at the start of a Premier League career (12 games). That’s no mean feat when you consider the change in style he’s implemented so seamlessly.

    There are still kinks to work out but while they keep this run going, confidence in the system and themselves will only grow.

    Maurizio Sarri

    Maurizio Sarri

    STAMPAGE BRIDGE

    The first half was a fairly tight affair and credit must be granted to Everton for that. Chelsea naturally dominated the ball but the away side remained compact and tried to pose a threat on the counter while going toe-to-toe with the hosts for every duel.

    With both sides so committed to the cause and the football not quite flowing, it led to a heated contest with a few overzealous challenges starting to feature. Seven yellow cards were issued by the end of play – four for the hosts and three to the visitors – and perhaps the biggest surprise is that the clash finished with 11 players remaining on both sides.

    A foul every fifth minute and a booking every 12.8 is a fair indication of the physicality in the game. Chelsea may have had the lion’s share of possession but ultimately, Everton were good value for their point.

    Kevin Friend showed seven yellow cards.

    Kevin Friend showed seven yellow cards.

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