Everton boss David Moyes takes a playful jab at Chelsea's spending after Stamford Bridge defeat
During Saturday's clash at Stamford Bridge, Everton manager David Moyes couldn't resist poking fun at Chelsea's financial might, suggesting a billion-pound disparity between the two clubs. Despite a spirited effort from Everton, they succumbed to a 2-0 loss with goals from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.

Everton manager David Moyes has aimed a cheeky dig at Chelsea’s spending power, saying there was a billion pounds worth of difference between the two sides in Saturday’s clash at Stamford Bridge. The Scot made the remark after watching his spirited side fail to make the most of their chances en route to suffering a 2-0 defeat in the Premier League.After putting together a fantastic run of results which brought about four wins in six league games, Everton travelled to Chelsea in high spirits at the weekend. Before stepping onto the field in west London, Moyes’ side had recorded impressive victories over Fulham, Manchester United, Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest, while drawing with Sunderland and suffering a solitary reverse against Newcastle United.However, in a match which saw in-form midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall forced off with a first-half injury on his return to Stamford Bridge, Everton were then put to the sword by goals from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto. Moyes’ men created a host of chances in both halves, with Iliman Ndiaye hitting the post towards the end of the game, but Everton were made to a rue their missed opportunities as they travelled back to Merseyside empty-handed.While Everton’s recent win at Manchester United saw Moyes secure his first league victory as an opposing manager at Old Trafford, he was unable to snap a similar hoodoo at Stamford Bridge on Saturday. The 62-year-old was in charge when Everton defeated Chelsea on their patch in the 2011 FA Cup, though he has never won at the same venue in the league, across spells in charge of the Toffees, Sunderland, and West Ham.And perhaps in a sign of frustration at the end of the match, Moyes fired a cheeky jibe towards Chelsea’s luxury of being able to spend vast sums of money on new players.When asked if his side’s defeat simply came down to fine margins, the former Manchester United boss said in his post-match press conference: "Maybe a billion-pound difference? Possibly, you know what I mean?"Speaking to BBC’s Match of the Day before his dig at Chelsea, Moyes said: "Losing Kiernan [Dewsbury-Hall] was a blow to us but I thought we adapted quite well. I know we've come away with a disappointing result but it wasn't a disappointing performance. We did a lot of really good things today."Maybe we played one of our best games away from home, we've had some very good results away from home. But we couldn't finish it off, we just dropped a couple of runners at times when they showed quality. We pushed them close and that's what we have to try and do. Jack [Grealish] had a great chance to make it one each, then we crossed one right into the goalie's arms, he distributes it quickly and they get the goal from it right on half-time."It felt a bit unfair on us because I thought for long periods we did well. I wouldn't say dominated because Chelsea had a lot of the ball as well. We played well, I've no complaints from the players except the final third stuff - if you don't take the chances you don't win the game. We stuck at it, we were never out of the game and were always a threat. We'll go away, look at it and hopefully do better next time."Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reportingMeanwhile, Chelsea counterpart Enzo Maresca also raised eyebrows with his post-match comments. The Italian head coach described the build up to his side’s win over Everton as his "worst 48 hours" in charge of the club, citing a lack of support in that time.Speaking in his post-match press conference, Maresca said: "This is the reason why I praise the players because with so many problems they are doing very well after a complicated week. Since I joined the club the last 48 hours has been the worst 48 hours since I joined the club because many people didn’t support us. So very happy for Malo (Gusto) in that moment that the effort from Malo and the rest showed that they are all there and want to help this club."Chelsea are back in action when they travel to League One leaders Cardiff City in the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday. Everton, on the other hand, play host to Arsenal in the league next Saturday.
A Hard-Fought Battle at Stamford Bridge
Everton’s journey to Stamford Bridge was buoyed by a series of impressive victories, only to fall short against Chelsea. Despite dominating at times and creating numerous opportunities, they were unable to convert, leaving Moyes vocal about the perceived financial gap between the clubs post-match.
Moyes Acknowledges Promising Performance
In the aftermath of the defeat, Moyes commended his team's efforts, highlighting their resilience and positive play. He expressed disappointment at the missed chances but remained optimistic about future improvements, emphasizing the need to capitalize on scoring opportunities.
Chelsea's Maresca Overcomes Challenges
On the other side, Chelsea's Enzo Maresca revealed the difficulties faced in the buildup to the match, citing a lack of support as a significant hurdle. Despite these challenges, he praised his players for their perseverance and dedication, underscoring the team's unity and determination.
Looking Ahead
With Chelsea preparing to face Cardiff City in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals and Everton gearing up for a clash with Arsenal, both teams are focused on future challenges and opportunities to showcase their strength on the field. The encounter at Stamford Bridge may have highlighted financial disparities, but on the pitch, the battle continues.
