Willian has revealed how he psyched out David Meyler with a cheeky comment just before the midfielder missed a penalty as Chelsea overwhelmed Hull 4-0 in the FA Cup.
Brazil forward Willian struck twice as the Blues cruised into the FA Cup quarter-finals, with Olivier Giroud claiming his first Chelsea goal and Pedro also on target.
But the 29-year-old also had a word in Meyler’s ear just before the Hull man’s spot-kick was saved by Willy Caballero – and later revealed he told his opponent he would fail with his attempt.
“I said to him: ‘you’re going to miss’,” said Willian, of his exchange with Meyler, who ruffled his hair in response with the two men all smiles.
“I said: ‘don’t shoot in the middle because Willy won’t move, he stays,’ and then when he missed I said ‘I told you’.”
Willian’s unsettling comment to Meyler was every inch as ruthless as his two smart finishes that set Chelsea en route to a comfortable victory at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea will now host Barcelona in Tuesday’s Champions League last 16 first leg clash, itching to capitalise on their return to form that has led to seven goals without reply.
The Blues put three past West Brom and four over Hull, hitting back after a dismal 3-0 home loss to Bournemouth and a woeful 4-1 hammering at Watford.
Willian struck the post with a late effort that denied him a first hat-trick against Hull, but then immediately targeted further goals against Barcelona.
“It was almost there, I tried to score one more goal but the most important thing was the win,” Willian told Chelsea’s official club website.
“I was unlucky but I hope there are more goals to come in the next match.
“Football is all about results; when you win everything is fine, when you lose, no.
“We always try to work hard and improve ourselves and we have to continue like that.
“We play for Chelsea, we always want to win titles.
“In the Champions League we know it’s going to be a difficult game but we are Chelsea, we know we can win the game.
“We have to prepare and no doubt it will be a massive game.”