Maurizio Sarri: 'very difficult' for Chelsea to stay close to Manchester City and Liverpool after Everton draw

Despite dropping points, Sarri now boasts the best start by a new manager in Premier League history

Maurizio Sarri was disappointed by his side's inability to create clear-cut chances (Getty)

Maurizio Sarri admitted that it will be “very difficult to stay close” to Manchester City and Liverpool after Chelsea succumbed to a drab goalless draw at Stamford Bridge against Everton.

Despite having 69 percent of possession, Sarri's side only mustered four opportunities on goal, following on from similarly lacklustre performances against Crystal Palace and BATE Borisov.

"In this moment the average of points of City and Liverpool is very high - I think about 100 points," Sarri said. "It’s very difficult to stay close to these teams."

"The last three matches, we created few goal opportunities in relation to how we played. In this moment, it’s maybe a little problem but three matches is a very short time so I don’t know. Maybe it’s by chance, but we have to be careful."

Sarri became embroiled in a heated dispute with rival manager Marco Silva after the two side's backbenches became particularly aggravated with one another during a feisty encounter which featured seven yellow cards. However, the Chelsea boss was quick to play down any fraught tensions after the game.

“It was only a normal discussion on the pitch. There was absolutely nothing between me and Marco [Silva]. It’s normal on the pitch sometimes. You are nervous so it can happen, but nothing serious."

Despite dropping two valuable points, another undefeated match for Chelsea - 12 now in the Premier League - means Sarri has broken the record for the longest undefeated streak of any new Premier League manager in history.

"I’ve very proud," he said of the achievement. "I know very well that I have to say thank you to the club because they gave me a very good squad, I have to say thank you to my players, and finally I have to say thank you to my staff."

"But, of course," the Italian added with a chuckle, "I prefer the three points today."