Villas-Boas stays grounded on Chelsea

Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas is not getting carried away with his team’s form despite their 3-1 win over Everton on Saturday.

Villas-Boas’ side moved to within a point of second-placed Manchester United on the English Premier League table as Daniel Sturridge, John Terry and Ramires struck, before Apostolos Vellios’ consolation goal at Stamford Bridge.

But the Portuguese tactician said his side, who have comfortably won their last three league outings, had so far only done what he expected.

“It is too early yet, we have done nothing else but our responsibilities. We have not done anything special,” Villas-Boas said.

“We have to continue to win until we find a position of comfort at the top of the Premier League, which is our aim.”

Ramires will have scans on a suspected knee injury, but could be fit for Wednesday’s Champions League meeting with Genk.

Villas-Boas said Manchester United’s 1-1 draw against Liverpool was had opened up an ‘opportunity’ for his team.

“It is an opportunity. It gives us the possibility of getting closer to Man United, which is our aim, but we still have to go to Anfield,” he said.

Everton manager David Moyes rued the financial gap between the two teams and praised Chelsea attacker Juan Mata, who set up two goals.

“Maybe that 400 million-pounds difference might have showed up after 15 to 20 minutes?” Moyes said.

“If he improves like David Silva’s improved for Manchester City, I think they’ll have a player.”

“I think Mata’s giving them a different dimension at the moment. They’re more flexible, Chelsea, than they’ve been in the past. We knew all about him but he goes deeps, plays people in, joins in and gets in difficult positions.”