Chelsea interim boss Benitez has not lost in the last six times he has faced Everton, winning five and drawing one, as Liverpool manager. PHOTO: AFP
Chelsea manager Rafael Benitez expects a hostile reception at Goodison Park today after branding Everton a small club during his days as Liverpool boss.
Benitez knows Everton supporters are unlikely to have forgotten the jibe, nor will it have been dismissed by Toffees manager David Moyes and his players.
That will only add to the challenge confronting Benitez’s side, when they attempt to extend their recent revival and mark their ninth game in a gruelling December with a seventh win in eight games.
With Everton lying just two points behind Chelsea, this game will provide a telling test of Benitez’s claim his side are ready to force their way back into the thick of the title race.
“I think Everton are doing a good job in the league this season,” said Benitez. “They are doing well, they have fewer resources than other teams and are still competing to get into the top four of the league.
“They are near the top of the table so credit to them. It is a good team and a tough game for sure. For us, we have to be ready physically as well as mentally for the game. They have been doing well in the past year and we know that Goodison is a difficult place to go to.”
Chelsea have struggled on their trips to Everton in recent seasons, losing their last three league fixtures at Goodison Park.
But recent victories, in particular the 8-0 thrashing of Aston Villa, have helped ease concerns about the effects of their congested recent programme that has included a trip to Japan for the Club World Cup.
Everton could begin 2013 third place in the Premier League table if they overcome Chelsea.
The closest Everton have come to the Champions League group stage was in the 2005-06 campaign, when they entered at the third qualifying round only to lose to Spanish side Villarreal 4-2 on aggregate.
Rodgers expects Reds’ reaction after Stoke slump
Meanwhile, Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is hopeful that his side will bounce back from the Boxing Day defeat to Stoke when they take on QPR today.
“The lads are equally as frustrated as me because they know how hard we’re working to climb the league, and then when it looks like we’re on a little run, we take a backwards step,” the Northern Irishman told Liverpoolfc.com.
“But they are the people who can put it right. If we can win the next two games against QPR and Sunderland, things would be looking nice for us after a busy Christmas schedule.
“QPR are fighting for survival. Harry has gone in there at a difficult moment but there is no better man to lift them out of the troubles they’re in,” Rodgers added.
“For us, we want to react and we need to react after a disappointing result, and this game gives us that opportunity. I’m really looking forward to it. It’s another chance for the players to showcase their qualities.”
Published in The Express Tribune, December 30th, 2012.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ