Chelsea’s promising start to their clash against Manchester City quickly faded as they suffered a 3-1 defeat at the Etihad.

Despite taking an early lead, the Blues ultimately struggled to maintain their advantage and slipped further away from their Champions League qualification hopes.

Early Lead Quickly Overcome by City’s Response

Chelsea came out strong, with Noni Madueke finding the net early on, leaving the visitors hopeful for an upset.

However, Manchester City responded with clinical finishes from Josko Gvardiol, Erling Haaland, and Phil Foden, demonstrating their quality as the defending Premier League champions.

While there was a sense that City were vulnerable early on, Chelsea couldn’t capitalize on their chances.

Gary Neville Critiques Chelsea’s Mentality and Decision-Making

In the aftermath of the game, football pundit Gary Neville didn’t hold back in his criticism of Chelsea’s performance.

He singled out four players—Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez, Cole Palmer, and Reece James—suggesting they should have taken charge during the opening stages when City seemed vulnerable.

Neville emphasized that Chelsea’s inability to adjust their approach, despite sensing weakness in City’s defense, was a major factor in their defeat.

He mentioned that the Blues lacked the ability to fully press City when they had the chance, a decision he believed could have turned the match in Chelsea’s favor.

Chelsea’s Missed Opportunity and Mentality Issues

Neville explained that, after their early goal, Chelsea had the chance to go for the jugular and extend their lead, but instead, they failed to push forward with the same intensity.

He was particularly frustrated by their inability to adapt to the changing circumstances of the game, something he felt experienced players like Caicedo, Fernandez, and James should have recognized.

Khusanov’s Mistake and Haaland’s Lobbing of Sanchez

The opening goal was partly due to an error by new City signing Abdukodir Khusanov, whose misdirected header allowed Madueke to score.

Khusanov’s struggles continued as he was booked soon after for a foul on Palmer, and Chelsea could have taken advantage of this.

However, City soon regained composure and took control of the game.

In a particularly painful moment for Chelsea, goalkeeper Robert Sanchez made another costly error, rushing out of his goal before being lobbed by Haaland.

This marked Sanchez’s fifth mistake leading to a goal this season, the most of any Premier League player.

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca acknowledged Sanchez’s mistakes and hinted that a change in goalkeeper might be on the horizon.

Looking Ahead: A Need for Change and Confidence

Despite the loss, Maresca reaffirmed his trust in Sanchez but also recognized the need for improvement.

The coach mentioned that they would give Sanchez time to reflect and see how he responds in training before making any decisions for upcoming matches.

Chelsea’s disappointing run continues, with one win in their last seven matches, leaving them in a precarious position as they strive to remain competitive in the Premier League and secure a Champions League spot.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

Share on Facebook «||» Share on Twitter «||» Share on Reddit «||» Share on LinkedIn