EPL

Simms strike 'a dream come true' as Chelsea boss Potter rues defensive lapses

By Sports Desk March 18, 2023

Ellis Simms hailed "a massive point" for Everton after the striker's first Premier League goal earned a 2-2 draw at Chelsea, his late heroics earning praise from Sean Dyche.

The substitute struck in the 89th minute at Stamford Bridge, brushing off Chelsea's Kalidou Koulibaly before beating Kepa Arrizabalaga at his near post.

It was a moment neither the defender nor goalkeeper would want to look at again, but it will live long in the memory for Simms, an Oldham-born youngster who has shown his goalscoring potential in loans with Hearts, Blackpool and Sunderland.

Now he has a goal at the top level of English football, and the point pushes Everton two points clear of the relegation zone.

Everton have now had 13 different goalscorers in the Premier League this season, with only Arsenal, Chelsea and Leeds United (14 each) having more.

They have not won in the league at Chelsea since 1994, a barren run of 28 games (D13 L15), but Everton were the side with the most to celebrate on this occasion.

Simms said the equaliser was "100 per cent" the biggest moment of his career.

"It's a great occasion to do it," he told Sky Sports. "I'm delighted for the team as well – a massive point against tough opposition, so we're delighted, we're made up.

"I've been working hard at Everton to come up with this, and it's a dream to come true to get my first Premier League goal.

"It's about patience. I've had to wait for my chance. Obviously we've got top players, so I'm not just going to walk straight into the team I just have to work hard in training and when I get the opportunity I have to take it, grab it with both hands."

 

Simms said there was "massive belief" in the ranks, and manager Dyche spoke glowingly of the 22-year-old, who has started just one league game so far for the Toffees this term, surprisingly being given the nod for February's derby with Liverpool.

"He's a young lad earning his spurs," Dyche said. "We threw him in against Liverpool, it was probably a bit too much on that night, but he's still around the group, he's working hard, he's realising the hard yards are important in the sides I work with, and he's maturing into it.

"He has scored goals, albeit in the Championship, and he's delivered with his pace and his power to break free and then gets a nice finish under the body of the keeper."

Chelsea head coach Graham Potter said his team's general play had been "a step forward", even after recent wins against Leeds United, Borussia Dortmund and Leicester City.

Their defending left plenty to be desired, though, so Joao Felix's low strike and Kai Havertz's penalty were only good enough for a point, leaving Chelsea 10th in the table, with Abdoulaye Doucoure cancelling out the first of the hosts' goals before Simms had his late say.

"I thought the performance overall was positive," Potter said. "We did a lot of things really well, scored a couple of goals, but ultimately didn't defend well enough in a couple of actions which has cost us, and we're disappointed to drop points."

Asked about the late concession, Potter said: "It looked too easy throughout the team, so I was disappointed from my perspective with the second goal, and the first as well.

"It was a positive performance from us overall, but it's hard to say that when you've only got one point."

Related items

  • 'We are lucky to have him' - Guardiola admits Ederson exit was close 'We are lucky to have him' - Guardiola admits Ederson exit was close

    Pep Guardiola admitted that Ederson came close to leaving Manchester City in the transfer window but stayed because a fee could not be agreed.

    The Brazilian was linked with a move to the Saudi Pro League in the off-season, with both Al-Nassr and Al-Ittihad both reportedly interested in his signature.

    Since joining the club in June 2017, Ederson has kept 113 clean sheets in 257 Premier League appearances, more than any other goalkeeper in the competition since his debut.

    He has won 15 major trophies with City, including six Premier Leagues, two FA Cups and a Champions League title, as well as the UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup.

    Ederson has played in all seven of City's Premier League matches so far this season, keeping just one clean sheet and conceding eight goals from an expected goals on target (xGoT) of 8.54.

    Guardiola is delighted that he was able to keep hold of Ederson, who continues to play a pivotal role in the team.

    "He is an important figure with our team," Guardiola told the club's website.

    "We are lucky to have him, and I hope he is happy. Eddy knows us really well and what we have to do.

    "He knew from day one that I didn't want him to leave. The truth is the offer didn't come. The real offer.

    "They make an offer but the keeper, who won four Premier Leagues in a row, he has a value and a price. Otherwise, he cannot leave.

    “If the offer did come, maybe he should not be here. This is the truth.

    "Ederson is so strong, but when he changed his mind, in one second he said he is here, and he is going to do his best."

  • Netherlands legend Neeskens dies aged 73 Netherlands legend Neeskens dies aged 73

    Netherlands and Ajax legend Johan Neeskens has passed away at the age of 73, the Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB) has announced.

    Neeskens played a key role in the Ajax and Netherlands teams credited with popularising "total football" in the 1970s, playing alongside Johan Cruyff for club and country.

    Neeskens scored 17 goals in 49 appearances for his nation, helping them reach two World Cup finals in 1974 and 1978, only for West Germany and Argentina to beat them in those showpiece matches.

    The midfielder scored the opening goal from the penalty spot in the first of those finals, only for goals from Paul Breitner and Gerd Muller to hand West Germany their second title.

    He also helped Ajax win back-to-back Eredivisie crowns in 1971-72 and 1972-73, as well as three straight European Cups in 1971, 1972 and 1973, a feat that has only been replicated by Bayern Munich (1974 to 1976) and Real Madrid (2016 to 2018) since then.

    Neeskens followed Cruyff and coach Rinus Michels to Barcelona in 1974, winning the Copa del Rey and the European Cup Winners' Cup in five seasons at Camp Nou.

    A KNVB statement released on Monday read: "The KNVB was deeply saddened to learn of the unexpected death of Johan Neeskens.

    "Johan was one of our greatest. We will miss him tremendously. We wish his wife Marlis, his children Christian, Tamara, Bianca and Armand, his grandchildren Djoy and Lovee, relatives and friends much strength in bearing this great loss. Rest in peace, Johan."

    Following his retirement, Neeskens had a spell as the Netherlands' assistant manager under Guus Hiddink and Frank Rijkaard, also assisting the latter at Barcelona from 2006 to 2008.

    He also spent four years in charge of Eredivisie side NEC Nijmegen, leading them to UEFA Cup qualification via a fifth-placed league finish in 2002-03.

  • Molynes United pick up first points of season with 4-0 win over Chapelton Maroons; Portmore United, Warehouse also secure victories Molynes United pick up first points of season with 4-0 win over Chapelton Maroons; Portmore United, Warehouse also secure victories

    Molynes United, Portmore United and Waterhouse all picked up wins in the latest round of the Wray & Nephew Jamaica Premier League on Sunday.

    Molynes picked up their first points of the season with a dominant 4-0 win over Chapelton Maroons at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex.

    Honors were even until six minutes before halftime when Jevaughn Brown gave Molynes United the lead.

    The scoring was completed in the second half by Mickel Graham (53’, 71’) and Taraj Andrews (86’) as the Kingston-based club secured their first points of the young season.

    Elsewhere, a 37th minute strike from Junior Grizelle and a second half stoppage time goal from Shacquwell Henry gave Portmore United a 2-0 win over Vere Phoenix United at Ferdie Neita Park.

    In the day’s other games, Atapharoy Bygrave scored just before halftime for Waterhouse in a 1-0 win over Tivoli Gardens at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex while Humble Lion and Harbour View played out a 1-1 draw at the Effortville Community Centre.

    Oquassa Chong gave Harbour View the lead in the 25th minute before Andre Clennon equalized for Humble Lion in the 67th.

    On Monday, defending champions Cavalier SC will take on Dunbeholden at Sabina Park while a double-header at the Montego Bay Sports Complex will see Mount Pleasant facing Racing United before Montego Bay United battles Arnett Gardens.

© 2024 SportsMaxTV All Rights Reserved.