Everton ‘enjoyed’ playing against Chelsea says Tim Howard
Everton legend Tim Howard says the young team enjoyed success against Chelsea because they played right into their hands without Romelu Lukaku.
The Toffees earned a late draw at Stamford Bridge after Rafa Benitez was forced to field a young team after 12 first-team players were left unavailable through injury and illness.
Chelsea weren’t without their own injury issues, with former Everton striker Romelu Lukaku among those missing the game after testing positive for COVID-19.
Speaking on NBC Sports, former Everton and USA goalkeeper Tim Howard revealed that the Belgian striker’s absence helped the Toffees and he felt as though they ‘enjoyed’ playing against Chelsea.
“They missed Romelu Lukaku,” he said. “In terms of when the ball turns over, just a force, someone who is willing to run in behind, pin the centre-half, get the team up the pitch and then it opens up pockets.
“It was too safe. Actually, Everton enjoyed it. They got 11 men behind the ball. They kind of played right into Everton’s hands.”
Confidence
Football is a game of confidence and Everton have been low on it for a very long time.
However after a win over Arsenal and then a draw with Chelsea, the results are beginning to pick up a little. Benitez is finally starting to drill his ideas into his team and with several players beginning to get fit again, the only way is up.
Benitez has long been a solid strategist in terms of defensive stability and the game plan against Chelsea was spot on.
He now needs to find a way to unlock their attacking potential, and then he’ll have an even better chance of getting Everton fans on side going forward.
In other Everton news, Liverpool star reveals Toffees tried to sign him.