Idrissa Gueye starred as Everton moved into Champions League contention with a 3-0 win over Chelsea at Hill Dickinson Stadium last time out
Iliman Ndiaye of Everton celebrates scoring a goal, to make the score 3-0 against Chelsea, with his team-mate Idrissa Gueye
Iliman Ndiaye of Everton celebrates scoring a goal, to make the score 3-0 against Chelsea, with his team-mate Idrissa Gueye(Image: Photo by Richard Martin-Roberts - CameraSport via Getty Images)
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Idrissa Gueye has revealed what David Moyes told his side before the win over Chelsea and called for calm as the battle for Europe hots up. Goals from Beto and Iliman Ndiaye boosted the Blues' chances of European qualification while denting Chelsea's hopes of securing Champions League football next season last time out.
Beto opened the scoring midway through the first-half before an error from Robert Sanchez doubled his side’s lead just after the hour mark. Ndiaye sealed all three points for the Blues when he fired a lovely curling effort into the roof of the net.
And when asked why his side were so dominant against Liam Rosenior’s men, Gueye revealed: “Because we followed the advice from the staff and the manager gave us confidence.
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“He said to us before the game, 'We really need to start playing like home today,' and I think the last game we did here gave us more confidence.
"We went on the pitch and we played as a team. We defend like a team, and that is what we need. We try to bring the club where the club deserves to be.
“The last year was not really good for the team, but now we start going forward, and that is what Everton needs."
He added: “Great game. We really played good as a team. We stayed calm with the ball, and we defended very well and we needed this win at home because our fans were behind us.
Iliman Ndiaye celebrates scoring his team's third goal against Chelsea with Beto, Idrissa Gueye and Dwight McNeil. All four and James Tarkowski, in the background, were signed by former director of football Kevin Thelwell. Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images
Iliman Ndiaye celebrates scoring his team's third goal against Chelsea with Beto, Idrissa Gueye and Dwight McNeil. All four and James Tarkowski, in the background, were signed by former director of football Kevin Thelwell. Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images
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“They pushed us to win this game, and 3-0 without conceding a goal is very good for us and for the team. We just need to keep going in this way because
“(Playing at the) new stadium, it was not going well the last few games, but the last game we won, and we won again, so hopefully we continue like that.
“I think everyone enjoyed the way we play and everyone will enjoy this victory, and hopefully the next game we will win again.”
The Blues are now seventh in the Premier League table and just three points off the Champions League places.
But when asked about his side being within touching distance of the Champions League place, Gueye replied, "We just need to keep calm. We just enjoy playing football and winning games and we will see at the end of the season.”
Iliman Ndiaye celebrates after scoring for Everton against Chelsea
Iliman Ndiaye celebrates after scoring for Everton against Chelsea(Image: (Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images))
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Gueye played the full 90 minutes as he captained Senegal in their 2-0 win over Peru at the Stade de France in Paris on Saturday, with his side parading the African Cup of Nations trophy to the crowd pre-match.
That comes despite the Confederation of African Football announcing earlier this month the awarding of victory to Morocco two months after the acrimonious conclusion to the tournament.
An appeal board determined the Senegal team had forfeited the match when they left the field in protest at a disputed penalty deep in stoppage time.
Everton's Idrissa Gueye celebrates Senegal's AFCON final win over Morocco
Everton's Idrissa Gueye celebrates Senegal's AFCON final win over Morocco(Image: Paul ELLIS / AFP via Getty Images)
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The walk-off, instigated by Senegal coach Pape Thiaw, led to a lengthy delay, and, when the game was belatedly restarted, Brahim Diaz saw his spot-kick saved by Edouard Mendy.
Pape Gueye went on to score the winning goal in extra time, but there was unrest in the crowd and recriminations in the aftermath.
But after studying the circumstances, the appeal board took the unprecedented step of reversing the result, awarding a 3-0 win to Morocco.
The Senegalese Football Federation have already announced its intention to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.