Koeman challenges Everton to stand up to the might of Chelsea

Ronald Koeman has thrown down the gauntlet to his Everton players and challenged them to hit top form against Chelsea on Sunday.

The Toffees welcome the league leaders to Goodison Park and manager Koeman is hoping that his players have learned from their 5-0 thrashing at the hands of Antonio Conte’s title-chasers at Stamford Bridge back November – their biggest defeat of the season.

“We had only one game this season where we had no chances and that was the Chelsea game,” said the Everton chief.

“From the start until the end [of the game], we had no chance to even get one point out of the game.

(Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)

“Of course, that is something we would like to change.

“We want to show the team is improving, the team is much better, and we can give much more competition in every aspect of football against Chelsea.

“Maybe we need to change our mentality a little bit because I felt our intensity dropped in the game last week [a goalless draw at West Ham United] – maybe a little bit less motivation – because it is always difficult if you already have seventh position in your pocket.

“Then, maybe you get a little bit of a holiday or end-of-season-type feeling and that is something I don’t like.

“We are playing at home – we are strong at home and we would like to keep our momentum going at home.

“We know we need to face the best team in the Premier League.”