Everton 1-2 Chelsea (aet) - Match Reports, Video Highlights, Managers' Reaction
Matt The Blue |
The match reports
The Guardian, Andy Hunter: "The garish camouflage kit worn by Everton's goalkeepers does not disguise their embarrassment. Jan Mucha, their Slovakian stand-in, was at fault for both Chelsea goals as André Villas-Boas's team survived a third red card in two matches to advance into the quarter-finals. The Chelsea manager reacted in a Mourinho-esque manner to the final whistle, leaping into the air and leading his players on a shirt-throwing, chest-thumping celebration before the away hordes. Here the Carling Cup became a test of inner resources."
The Independent, Tim Rich: "It was not a night for goalkeepers or penalty-takers. Of the two men who started in goal, one was sent off, the other handed Chelsea the lead. Jan Mucha's error was the kind that makes you realise why Fabien Barthez would reach for a pack of Gitanes while playing for France or Manchester United. The shot was tame, Mucha's reactions betrayed him and suddenly the Carling Cup started sliding from Everton's view."
The Daily Telegraph, Chris Bascombe: "If the Carling Cup is not top of Villas-Boas’ wanted list, it should be after he savoured victory here. As the first trophy he can win it would settle nerves and signal an arrival in English football — the platform, just as it was for Jose, to more delectable riches later this season. Besides, if Chelsea do not win it is most likely one of their top four rivals will."
The Official Chelsea FC Website: "Ten-man Chelsea are into the Carling Cup quarter-finals thanks to an extra-time winner from sub Daniel Sturridge, but would never have got there had it not been for the goalkeeping heroics of Petr Cech. Sturridge struck with four minutes remaining before penalties after Salomon Kalou and Louis Saha had scored in normal time of a scintillating encounter at Goodison Park."
The goals
38' Kalou 0-1 83' Saha 1-1 116' Sturridge 1-2
The managers' reaction
Andre Villas-Boas: “I think we were very committed, showed strength of character and resilience once again. We went down to 10 men unfortunately once again and made things even more difficult but were able to triumph under difficulty. This is extremely good signs for us and shows the squad is committed with the trophies.
“We got one of the most difficult draws, Everton away after a dramatic and motivational win at Fulham for them, and with one of their strongest sides showing they wanted to go through.
“To be fair we had good chances to kill off the game, couldn’t find it, got the first goal and had good chances. Then we had to fight because Everton had quality chances as well, we had 10 men and were as compact as possible but Everton had the desire and motivation and were on top, and we had to hold on until extra time arrived.
“We managed to get things right in possession, and what satisfies me is that the players’ talent comes out in this situation and they were able to find excellent positions with 10 men. Then when the numbers got even they found better spaces and eventually we got the goal we wanted.
“We were able to not only play good football but again to show commitment and desire and physical effort because it’s again a game of 120 minutes after a game with nine men and it shows we are progressing as a team and it’s very, very gratifying for everybody.”
David Moyes: “It was a game we probably should have won in the end and we’ll probably come away from it a wee bit disappointed that we didn’t go into the next round of the cup.
“We want to do well in the cup competitions and the players did that - they tried really hard tonight.
“We hadn’t really given Chelsea a game a week or so at Stamford Bridge but we gave them a game tonight.
“We tried to make it as hard as we could for them and up to 90 minutes we should have won the game.”