Tosin Adarabioyo was central to Chelsea’s clean sheet at Goodison Park yesterday and the defender spoke after the game about the team’s battling qualities during a testing encounter on Merseyside.
The game was goalless and 15 minutes remained when Tosin produced an outstanding block to deny Iliman Ndiaye, who looked certain to give Everton a late lead. It was a moment that epitomised a fine individual performance from Tosin and a strong collective showing against a direct and physical Toffees outfit.
‘It’s something us defenders love to do, keep clean sheets, and that was a moment to do so and put your body on the line,’ our no.4 said of his defiant block.
‘It was a very difficult game. Everton are one of the best teams in Europe at keeping clean sheets and we’re one of the best at scoring, but they did very well. It was a very tough game and they managed a stalemate.
‘The conditions impacted the game, the first half was very difficult with the weather, but it was just one of those days, you have to keep going.’
As Tosin notes, the Blues have been free-scoring this season, but on a day when clear chances were hard to come by, the defender acknowledged another side to our game that bodes well for the months ahead.
‘Everybody’s fighting spirit impressed me,’ he stated. ‘We went out there to be fully focused and give a good battle against a strong Everton team.
‘We have a lot of confidence heading into the new year. We’re having a good run at the moment, we’re full of confidence, and we just keep going.’