Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri has set a new standard for new Premier League managers, but he did so in a game that was especially frustrating and very disappointing for the Blues.
Everton battled Chelsea to a goalless draw at home, and thus the west London side’s unbeaten streak to start the season is now up to 12. That surpasses Frank Clark’s record for the longest Premier League unbeaten run of a new manager, but the 28 points they have acquired in the first dozen matches is still not good enough to top the table.
Chelsea sit third with 28 points, while Liverpool is second with 30 and Manchester City lead the way with 32. Sarri said it may take 100 points to win it all this season.
“In this moment, the average of points for City and Liverpool is very high, I think about 100 points. So it’s very difficult to stay close to these teams,” the Italian said.
City set a Premier League record by becoming the first team to 100 points last season.
Although unhappy about now getting a win today, Sarri did take pride in his own personal achievement: “I’m really very proud about it. I know very well I have to say thank you to the club and thank you to my players. Finally, I have to say thank you to my staff. But, of course, I’d prefer three points today.”
Games are of course won or lost as a team, not by individuals, but many social media users were quick to blame striker Alvaro Morata today.
Morata everytime a defender breathes near him pic.twitter.com/2ZeRGOA24Q
— DonkeysOut (@CarvalhoJTlite) November 11, 2018
In addition to his going to the ground with regularity, he was ruled offside five times against Everton, a new high in a Premier League match this season. While the Spaniard turned in a really poor performance, it’s worth noting that his bad game came within the context of a real hot streak.
Take a look at these stats:
Most @premierleague goals since start of October:
6 – @AnthonyMartial
5 – Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
4 – Alvaro Morata
4 – Callum Wilson pic.twitter.com/7uibxjEiQz— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) November 11, 2018
By the way, Martial netted again today for United in the Manchester derby.
Taking a step back, what Sarri had done with Chelsea so far is still amazing. Back in the summer many expected this to be a rebuilding year at Stamford Bridge, but he’s got the Blues in the mix for the title.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, regularly appears as a guest pundit on WGN CLTV and co-hosts the “Let’s Get Weird, Sports” podcast on SB Nation.
He also contributes sociopolitical essays to Lineups.com and Chicago Now. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram. The content of his cat’s Instagram account is unquestionably superior to his.