Enzo Maresca rued a lack of cutting edge in front of goal as Chelsea were held to a goalless draw by Everton at Goodison Park on Sunday.
The Blues missed the chance to momentarily go top of the league as they failed to score for the first time in the league since the opening day of the season.
Nicolas Jackson wasted two big opportunities, whilst Cole Palmer had a quiet afternoon, but the result means Chelsea still sit second, but Arsenal have closed the gap to two points.
Maresca rues lack of cutting edge in attack
Chelsea have been freely scoring this season and are the second highest scorers in the league, but Everton were resolute and made things really difficult, although Maresca insisted he was happier than he was after the Brentford win.
Outside of Jackson’s two chances the Blues struggled to create any meaningful opportunities and were lacking their usual ruthlessness in the final third.
It was a difficult afternoon with the weather conditions not helping, but the most important thing was not to lose.
Cole Palmer looks frustrated as Chelsea fail to beat Everton away. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC)
Palmer had a quiet afternoon at Goodison Park. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC)
It could have been much worse for Chelsea had Robert Sanchez not made a brilliant save in the second half, and Tosin Adarabioyo also made a brilliant goal denying block.
A draw was probably a fair result in the end as the Blues just didn’t do enough to win the game, and speaking afterwards Maresca pointed out what his side could have done differently.
“I said we knew already, it was a tough game to create chances,” he told his post-match press conference.
“In general, you struggle to create chances against them. There was not space for Cole. Overall in this kind of game, you have to be clinical.”
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Jamie Carragher with a Chelsea logo. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
Enzo Maresca on the touchline with Arne Slot. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Enzo Maresca left frustrated on the sidelines at Everton. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC)
Maresca will be hoping it was just a rare off day in front of goal for his side who are now unbeaten in their last six league games, with Fulham up next on Boxing Day.
The dropped points at Goodison Park slightly increases the pressure on getting three points against their neighbours, and Maresca will be hoping for a positive response from his team.