Gary Neville was “frustrated” by Chelsea’s lack of response after half-time as Manchester City came from behind to beat them 3-1 in a defeat he feared could damage their Champions League hopes.
Chelsea took the lead in the third minute at the Etihad Stadium through Noni Madueke and could have been 2-0 up but for a poorly timed pass from Cole Palmer with Nicolas Jackson waiting to pounce.
But after a City resurgence and Josko Gvardiol’s equalizer three minutes before the break, the hosts dominated the game in the second half, with Chelsea recording just one shot on target and an xG of 0.18 to 1.62 in the first half.
Speaking on the Gary Neville PodcastNeville revealed his annoyance at how Chelsea’s money-rich midfielder failed to assert his authority over the game after half-time – and why it could cost them a Champions League place, the Blues now being sixth in the Premier League.
“I expected Chelsea to come out quickly in the second half because I expected [Enzo] Maresca at half time to have a good chance against them for letting City back into the game. I haven’t seen the response,” he said.
“The two midfielders [Caicedo and Fernandez] These are the players who cost the most, you have the big prizes on your back, you have a great reputation, you are good players.
“Fantastic players are going to take over the game 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.
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Neville said it was too early to tell if Man City were back to their best, but he admitted you wouldn’t keep Pep Guardiola down for long.
“I’m not trying them because I think they had a really good season, but I’m really frustrated with what I’ve seen, because I think they’ll look back and think you could have done more – it’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 by my team.”
“Palmer was played by Pep after the match”
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WATCH FOR FREE: Highlights from Man City’s Premier League match against Chelsea
Neville recalled a classic Pep Guardiola move after the match, when the City boss approached his former player Cole Palmer for a catch-up on the pitch with both men seen smiling as they were deep in conversation as they were heading towards the tunnel.
The former Manchester United captain was less than impressed with Palmer being ‘played’ by his former boss following his current side’s latest defeat – and extending their poor run of form to one win in seven in Premier League.
“Cole, you’re being played here,” Neville said.
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“You didn’t do enough on that pitch in the second half and he’s an incredible player. But you know something, those Chelsea fans who traveled today, three or four thousand to that far corner , don’t really do it. I want to see you conversing with the opposing coach and smiling at the end of the game.
“And I’m not old school here, but there’s something about it, I thought: ‘Pep Guardiola is playing against you here’.
“I know he got it but he didn’t play it and he sold it so he should have ignored it and gone straight back to the locker room. Have a talk in the locker room, I’m not against that – obviously he played for the manager, but I just felt at the end there was something that didn’t feel right from Cole Palmer’s point of view.
“I know why Pep Guardiola did that. That’s what Pep Guardiola does, but I wouldn’t do it if I lost 3-1 away. I expected more from him in the second half.”
