'We will be stronger': Ronald Koeman warns Chelsea of new-look Everton

Liam Blackburn26 August 2017

Ronald Koeman has warned Antonio Conte that there will no repeat of last year's Stamford Bridge horror show when he takes his new-look Everton back to Chelsea on Sunday.

Last November the Toffees were hammered 5-0 in the capital by a rampant Blues side in the midst of a streak of 13 successive Premier League victories that would underpin their title-winning campaign.

Only two of the XI that Koeman started with that day, Ashley Williams and Phil Jagielka, are likely to be retained nine months on and Everton's progress since was seen in the credible draw they recorded at Manchester City on Monday.

They may also have been imbued with belief that they can triumph in west London having seen Burnley pull off a shock victory over the below-par champions on the opening weekend of the season.

Chelsea's response in beating Tottenham at Wembley last week proved to Koeman that the confidence has not been drained out of Antonio Conte's squad, though the Dutchman is confident his team will produce a better showing than they did during their trip last year.

"They're still the champions," Koeman warned. "They showed that ambition and hunger in the last game against Tottenham. They're difficult to beat and they play with a high, winning mentality.

"We need to do better than last year because it was too easy for them. We will be stronger this time."

Should the Blues avoid defeat against Koeman’s side they will extend their Premier League home unbeaten run against the Toffees to 23 years.

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