Gary Neville was left “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 believes could damage their Champions League hopes.
Chelsea took a third-minute lead through Noni Madueke at the Etihad Stadium and could have been 2–0 ahead had it not been for a mistimed pass from Cole Palmer as Nicolas Jackson waited to strike.
But after a City revival and Josko Gvardiol's equalizer three minutes before half-time, the hosts dominated the match 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 expressed his annoyance at Chelsea's deep midfield failure to put their authority on the line after half-time – and why it could cost them a place in the Champions League, now The Blues are now sixth in the league. Premier League.
“I expected Chelsea to come out quickly in the second half because I expected that too [Enzo] Maresca had been proven right at half-time for letting City back into the game. I haven't seen the answer,” he said.
“The two midfielders [Caicedo and Fernandez] are the players who cost the big money, you have the big price tags on your back, you have big reputations, you are good players.
“Fantastic players are getting on top of the game and grabbing him by the scruff of the neck. With Palmer in midfield they didn't do that, so I'm quite frustrated with Chelsea in the second half.”
“I'm not going to get into 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. – That's the worst feeling.
“It could cost them the Champions League next season. They should have sent a message to Manchester City but they didn't. I'm not a Chelsea fan but I am a football fan and I would be disappointed in my team. ” “
'Palmer was played out by Pep after the match'
Neville spoke of a textbook example from Pep Guardiola 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 and deep in conversation as they made their way to the tunnel.
The former Manchester United captain was less than impressed with Palmer being 'played' by his former boss over his current side's latest defeat, extending their poor run of form to one win in seven in the Premier League.
“Cole, you're being played here,” Marcel said.
“You didn't do enough on that pitch in the second half and he's a great player. But you know, those Chelsea fans who came into that far corner today with three or four thousand people, they don't really do that.” I want to see you talking to the opposition manager and smiling at the end of the game.
“And I'm not being old-fashioned here, but there's something going on. I thought: 'Pep Guardiola is playing you here'.
“I know he had it, but he didn't play him and he sold it, so he should have ignored him and gone straight back to the dressing room. Have a conversation in the dressing room, I'm not against that. It's Obviously he played.” for the manager, but at the end I just felt there was something that I thought wasn't right from Cole Palmer's perspective.
“I know why Pep Guardiola did it. That's what Pep Guardiola does, but I wouldn't do that if I had lost 3-1 away from home. I expected more from him in the second half.”
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