Everton will be without Carlo Ancelotti on the touchline against Chelsea this weekend after he was sent off following the club’s 1-1 draw with Manchester United, but that might not be such a disadvantage after all.
Ancelotti was given his marching orders by referee Chris Kavanagh after the full-time whistle had been blown at Goodison Park, with the Italian incensed after Everton’s late winner had been ruled out by VAR.
Now Duncan Ferguson could be set to fill in for the Italian, while Ancelotti will be forced to watch from the stands.
While that could be seen as Everton being at an obvious disadvantage, with their well-respected manager away from the touchline, it is worth remembering what happened the last time that Everton faced Chelsea.
Ferguson took interim control for the first time in his career against the Blues at Goodison Park in December, following three consecutive losses in the Premier League that ultimately cost Marco Silva his job.
In dominant fashion, Everton ran out 3-1 victors against Frank Lampard’s men, with Richarlison and Dominic Calvert-Lewin both getting on the scoresheet as Ferguson went unbeaten in his four-game stint in charge.
Now with Richarlison and Calvert-Lewin both in fine goalscoring form, Chelsea may be more concerned that the ever motivational Ferguson is set to return to the dugout as Everton’s leader on Sunday.
Ferguson earned plenty of plaudits for leading his side to victory against Frank Lampard’s side, and should the Scotsman have a psychological impact on the Chelsea players this time around, Everton could find that they could benefit from Ancelotti’s absence.
