Chelsea boss Benitez faces hostile reception at Everton
Everton crowd set to give Chelsea boss a hostile reception after insult during his Liverpool days
Chelsea manager Rafael Benitez expects a hostile reception at Goodison Park today after branding Everton a small club during his days as Liverpool boss.
Benitez knows Everton supporters are unlikely to have forgotten the jibe, nor will it have been dismissed by manager David Moyes and his players.
With Everton lying just two points behind Chelsea, this game will provide a telling test of Benitez's claim his side are ready to force their way back into the thick of the title race.
"I think Everton are doing a good job," Benitez said. "They are doing well, they have fewer resources than other teams and are still competing. They are near the top of the table so credit to them.
"They are a good team and it will be a tough game for sure. For us, we have to be ready physically as well as mentally for the game.
"They have been doing well in the past year and we know that Goodison is a difficult place to go to."
Chelsea have struggled on their trips to Everton in recent seasons, losing their last three league fixtures at Goodison Park.