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 took the lead in the third minute at the Etihad Stadium through Noni Madueke and could have been 2-0 up but for a misplaced pass from Cole Palmer with Nicolas Jackson waiting to pounce.
But after a City revival and Josko Guardiol’s equalizer three minutes before the break, the hosts dominated play in the second half with Chelsea recording just one shot on target and an xG of 0.18 compared to 1.62 in the first half.
Speaking in Gary Neville PodcastNeville revealed his frustration at how Chelsea’s big-money midfield had failed to stamp their 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 expected Chelsea to come out quickly in the second half because I expected (Enzo) Maresca in the first half to have a fair shot at them to let City back into the game. I didn’t see the answer,” he said.
“The two midfielders (Caicedo and Fernandez) are the players who cost big money, you have big prices on your back, you have big reputations, you are good players.
“Fantastic players go and go at the top of the game and take it by the scruff of the neck. With Palmer in that midfield they didn’t do that, so I’m very frustrated with Chelsea in the second half.
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Neville said it is too early to say whether Man City are back to their best, but he admitted they won’t keep Pep Guardiola around for long.
“I’m not picking on them because I think they’ve had a really good season but I’m very frustrated with what I’ve seen because I think they’ll look back and think you could have done more. – This is the worst feeling.
“It could cost them the Champions League next season. They really should have sent a message to Manchester City and they didn’t.”
“Palmer was played by Pep after the match”
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FREE TO WATCH: Highlights from Man City v Chelsea in the Premier League
Neville touched on a school move from Pep Guardiola after the game when the City boss approached his former player Cole Palmer to face him on the pitch with both men seen smiling as they were deep in conversation as they left to the tunnel.
The former Manchester United captain was less than impressed that Palmer had been “played” by his former boss after his current side’s latest defeat – and extending their poor run of form to seven wins in the Premier League .
“Cole, you’re being played here,” Neville said.
Monday, February 3, 6:30 p.m
Departure at 20:00
“You didn’t do enough on the pitch in the second half and he’s a great player. But you know something, those Chelsea fans who traveled up today, three or four thousand in that far corner, they don’t I really want to see you talking to the opposing manager and smiling at the end of the game.
“And I’m not old here, but there’s something about it, I thought, ‘Pep Guardiola is playing you here.’
“I know he had it but he didn’t play it and he sold it so he should have ignored it and gone straight back to the dressing room. Have a chat inside the dressing room, I’m not against to that – he’s obviously played for the manager, but in the end I felt there was something about him that didn’t feel right from Cole Palmer’s point of view.
“I know why Pep Guardiola did it – that’s what Pep Guardiola does, but I wouldn’t do it if I was losing 3-1 away from home. I expected more from him in the second half.”
