Source: Team_Talk
Chelsea v Everton reaction
Andre Villas-Boas urged Chelsea to continue to pounce on slip-ups from Manchester United and Manchester City after defeating Everton.[LNB] The Blues emphatically ended their Everton hoodoo on Saturday evening with a 3-1 win at Stamford Bridge, taking full advantage of United's lunchtime draw at Liverpool and staying within three points of new leaders Manchester City.[LNB]Next Sunday's Manchester derby will give Chelsea another chance to close the gap at the top, providing they win their own match at QPR.[LNB]Villas-Boas said: "It's important for us to get three points, particularly on a day where two title contenders played against each other.[LNB]"Man United got an important point at Anfield but at least it makes us recover some points and get closer to second position."[LNB]Today's win maintained Villas-Boas' 100% home record since his summer appointment as Chelsea manager, the Portuguese making Stamford Bridge the fortress it was under former mentor Jose Mourinho.[LNB]"We have done nothing else than our responsibilities in winning the games that we have won at home," Villas-Boas said.[LNB]"We have not done anything special.[LNB]"We just have to continue to win until we find a position of comfort at the top of the Premier League, because that's what we want."[LNB]Chelsea went into tonight's game having not beaten Everton since the 2009 FA Cup final.[LNB]The Toffees were also undefeated on their previous five visits to Stamford Bridge and looked like making it six in the first half hour today.[LNB]But Juan Mata once again proved Chelsea's inspiration, the £23million man starting the move that saw Daniel Sturridge break the deadlock and also laying on the third goal for Ramires either side of a John Terry header.[LNB]Villas-Boas refused to single out Mata for special praise, saying: "It's all interrelated with his colleagues.[LNB]"The talent in this squad is so immense and the technical staff's job is just to free the players.[LNB]"When they play with freedom of choice, they can express themselves a little bit better."[LNB]Instead, Villas-Boas hailed the patience of his entire team.[LNB]"We managed to be very, very patient in our build-up, playing a lot from the back, tiring the strikers of Everton a little bit," he said.[LNB]"When Everton got the ball, they couldn't respond with the usual aggressiveness that they have.[LNB]"It was decisive to get the second goal just before half-time.[LNB]"The 3-0 gave us the comfort we needed to take the game through."[LNB]That third goal saw Ramires suffer a knee injury that makes him a doubt for Wednesday night's Champions League game with Genk.[LNB]
