Graham Potter reveals why Chelsea’s draw with Everton was ‘a step forward’

Chelsea head coach Graham Potter insisted that there were plenty of positives to take following their disappointing 2-2 draw at home to Everton on Saturday.

The Blues spurned the chance to head into the international break off the back of four straight wins, with Ellis Simms grabbing an equaliser for the visitors in the dying embers of the game.

After Aston Villa beat Bournemouth earlier in the day, Chelsea are now only in the top half of the Premier League table by virtue of goal difference.

But while Potter recognised that such a disappointing ending to this game leaves a sour taste in the mouth, the overall performance was ‘a step forward’.

“To be cheap with the goals we conceded is frustrating,” Potter told a press conference. “The boys are disappointed [and] frustrated because they think they put a lot into the game.

“Ultimately we’re really, really frustrated because we can’t concede the goals that we did and expect to win the game.”

He added: “Ultimately we haven’t defended well enough. I think result-wise it was a step back because we wanted to win. But performance-wise it was a step forward because we attacked well. The feeling is frustration because we’ve dropped points.

“You have to credit Everton. They do what they do well. They ask you questions, but I think most of the game we controlled well – as much as you can.”