Koeman: We didn’t deserve 3-0 loss, but that’s football

Everton slipped to only their second defeat at Goodison Park this season, dropping a 3-0 decision to Chelsea. After going toe-to-toe with the League leaders for most of the game, once the visitors broke through with a Pedro thunderbolt they fell away.

After the game, manager Ronald Koeman bemoaned the big loss -

“I think we did well. We started well and we were a bit unlucky in the first minute by hitting the post. We made some mistakes in possession and that made them really dangerous at times in the first half, but I think we did a good job up until it went 1-0.

“After that, it makes it more difficult to create chances and then, of course, if they get a little bit more space then they are a team who can kill the game with the second goal. The third goal was high quality [showing] the offensive side of Chelsea. Maybe we didn’t deserve the defeat by three goals, but that is football.

“I don’t think physically they had too much for us, but they were confident in the way they defended their lead, they were the more experienced team and they managed to go 2-0 up. They waited for space, waited for chances. I think comparing our offensive play to theirs was the difference today. They were really clinical.”

Idrissa Gueye was charged with marking Eden Hazard, how did Koeman feel he performed in that role?

“He did really well. It is very difficult to mark a play like Eden Hazard. I thought he controlled him, he was aggressive and we stopped one of the strengths of Chelsea today. It was an outstanding performance by Gana.”

Midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin pulled out of the game after picking up a thigh injury in training.

“It’s not really bad. It’s not the end of the season for Morgan. Maybe next week, maybe not - but it will not take longer than 10 days.”