Villas-Boas not taking Everton lightly

Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas says his side will not underestimate Everton on Saturday.

The Blues head into this weekend’s match on the back of a three-goal collapse at Stamford Bridge last Sunday against Manchester United, with the game finishing 3-3.

In the aftermath of Manchester City’s 1-0 defeat at Goodison Park less than a fortnight ago, City manager Roberto Mancini admitted he had miscalculated the quality of David Moyes’ men.

However, Villas-Boas said Chelsea would not be taking their opposition lightly.

“We never underestimate Everton because our record at Goodison Park is not impressive,” the former Porto boss said.

“It is a difficult place to go, and a team that has made a great transfer market without a lot of noise, but with the right buys.”

“It is fantastic to see (new signing) Darron Gibson playing more often because he is a player of immense talent and Landon Donovan coming back to a place he knows well.”

“I think the additions they made were fantastic, improving them a level and making them even more difficult to play against.”

Chelsea have beaten the Toffees twice this season, with a 3-1 victory at Stamford Bridge in the league followed by a 2-1 triumph in the Carling Cup.

“They have improved a lot from when we played them first (this season),” Villas-Boas said.

“Everton are always a solid team and can create problems, plus the environment of Goodison Park is never easy.”

“Their situation in the league at the moment is 11th, but very close to eighth place, which will straight away change the perspective.”

Although the 34-year-old has tried to forget the capitulation at Stamford Bridge last weekend, he accepted he was left frustrated with the decisions of referee Howard Webb who awarded the visitors two penalties.

“It is frustrating seeing a penalty like that given,” he said. “There must be a new rule set out; we have them for two-footed tackles, now we have to have them for players who stand out their leg on purpose, clipping the leg of a defender on purpose to fall to give a penalty.”

“On the same weekend, we had two incidents of that from (Manchester City winger) Adam Johnson and (Manchester United striker Danny) Welbeck.”

“So there needs to be a new rule for penalties when the attacker purposely sticks his foot out to dive for a penalty.”