Gary Neville was left “frustrated” with Chelsea’s lack of response after half-time
as Manchester City came from behind to beat them 3-1 in a defeat he feels could damage their Champions League hopes.
Chelsea flew into a third-minute lead at the Etihad Stadium through Noni Madueke and could have been 2-0 ahead but for a mistimed pass from Cole Palmer with Nicolas Jackson waiting to pounce.
But following a City resurgence and Josko Gvardiol’s equaliser three minutes before the break, the hosts dominated the game in the second period with Chelsea registering just one shot on target, and an xG of 0.18 compared to 1.62 in the first half.
Speaking on the Gary Neville Podcast, Neville revealed his annoyance at how Chelsea’s big-money midfield had failed to stamp its authority on the game after half-time – and why it could cost them a Champions League spot, with the Blues now sixth in the Premier League.
“I was expecting Chelsea to come out fast in the second half because I was expecting [Enzo] Maresca at half-time to have a right go at them for letting City back in the game. I didn’t see the response,” he said.
“The two midfielders [Caicedo and Fernandez] are the players who cost the big bucks, you’ve got the big price tags on your back, you’ve got big reputations, you’re good players.
“Fantastic players go and get on top of the game go and grab it by the scruff of the neck. With Palmer in that midfield they didn’t do that, so I’m quite frustrated with Chelsea in the second half.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Neville said it is too early to say if Man City are back to their best but he admitted you won’t keep Pep Guardiola down for long
“I’m not having a go at them because I think they’ve had a really good season but I’m really frustrated from what I’ve seen, because I think that they’ll look back and think you could have done more – that’s the worst feeling.
“It could cost them the Champions League next season. They should have really sent a message to Manchester City and they didn’t. I’m not a Chelsea fan but I’m a football fan and I would be deflated with my team.”
‘Palmer got played by Pep after the game’
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
FREE TO WATCH: Highlights from Man City’s match against Chelsea in the Premier League
Neville touched on a textbook move from Pep Guardiola after the game, when the City boss approached his former player Cole Palmer for a catch-up on the pitch with both men seen smiling while deep in conversation as they headed for the tunnel.
The former Manchester United captain was less than impressed that Palmer had been “played” by his former boss on the back of his current side’s latest defeat – and extending their poor run of form to one win in seven in the Premier League.
“Cole, you’re being played here,” said Neville.
Monday 3rd February 6:30pm
Kick off 8:00pm
“You didn’t do enough out on that pitch in the second half and he’s an amazing player. But you know something, those Chelsea fans that have travelled up today, three or four thousand over in that far corner, they don’t really want to see you conversing with the opposition manager and smiling at the end of the game.
“And I’m not being old school here but there’s something about that, I thought ,’Pep Guardiola’s playing you here’.
“I know he’s had him but he didn’t play him and he sold him so he should have ignored him and headed straight back to the dressing room. Have a conversation inside the dressing room, I’m not against that – obviously he’s played for the manager but I just felt at the end that there’s something about it I didn’t feel was right from a Cole Palmer perspective.
“I know why Pep Guardiola’s done it – that’s what Pep Guardiola does but I wouldn’t if I’d lost 3-1 away from home. I expected more from him in the second half.”
