CHELSEA capitulated again after scoring first, this time in a 3-1 loss away to Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City.
Three minutes is all it took for the deadlock to be broken, as City new boy Abdukodir Khusanov’s header was cut out by Nicolas Jackson, who squared it for Noni Madueke to tap into an empty net.
GettyNoni Madueke tapped home Chelsea’s only goal[/caption]
ReutersPressure mounts on Robert Sanchez after another unconvincing display[/caption]
A competitive first-half unfolded as big chances fell to Jackson and Josko Gvardiol, both of whom couldn’t convert from close range.
But it didn’t take long for the hosts to level the scoring before half-time, Marc Cucurella and Robert Sanchez couldn’t clear a long ball between them and Gvardiol made up for his two big missed chances with an easy finish into a gaping goal.
A cagey second-half followed, until Erling Haaland sat down Trevoh Chalobah and curled the ball over Sanchez who was well out of position to give City a well deserved lead.
Haaland shrugged off Levi Colwill and tapped the ball onto Phil Foden who pranced past the Chelsea defence and slotted to the left of the goalkeeper.
This is how SunSport’s Lloyd Canfield rated the players…
Robert Sanchez – 1
It was much the same as what we have seen from Sanchez for Chelsea this evening.
Not commanding in his area, poor distribution, and was more out of place than a penguin in the desert when Haaland lobbed him to give City the lead.
The sentiment of the travelling fans is that they are utterly sick of him.
Sanchez was well out of position for Haaland’s goal
Reece James – 6
Looked strong at the back and did his defensive duties well for the Blues for the most part.
It would’ve been nice to see him more involved in an attacking sense, prancing down the right-hand side like we saw him do against Forest in the final game of last season.
Trevoh Chalobah – 6
His long ball upfield caused havoc for Khusanov on his debut and led to the opening goal after he stepped in to stop a Man City passage of play.
Did well for large parts of the game, but Haaland sat him down 1v1 before giving his side the lead in the second half.
Levi Colwill – 4
Was booked for time wasting at a goal kick after just 25 minutes, and the home crowd were onto him after that.
It was a tough evening for him against Haaland and the Norwegian’s relentless strength and power got the better of him at times, particularly for City’s third.
Marc Cucurella – 4
Wasn’t strong enough to get the better of Matheus Nunes who went on to set up Gvardiol for Man City’s leveller.
Also failed to offer anything going forwards for his side.
Moises Caicedo – 6
A decent display against two of the strongest dribblers in the league in Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva.
Composed on the ball and a leader in this team, but looks far more comfortable with Romeo Lavia alongside him in midfield.
Enzo Fernandez (c) – 5
Tried his best to get the team going and be a leader in this side, and progressed the ball well at times too.
Not the game changing performance we saw from him against the likes of Spurs, but not bad by any means.
Noni Madueke – 7
Tapped home into an empty net with ease to open the scoring a couple of minutes into the game before troubling City’s left side on numerous occasions.
Had bags of defensive work to do which is not his forte, and was caused major problems on the back foot by Gvardiol rampaging down City’s left-hand side.
Cole Palmer – 5
Looked a shadow of the player who had such an impact in this very fixture last season.
Should’ve done better with a pass for Jackson in the first half to make it 2-0, generally didn’t have the impact we have seen from him so often this season.
Jadon Sancho – 5
A few nice runs and touches, but no end product of any meaning which is something Enzo Maresca is desperate to see from his wingers.
Worked hard defensively down the left hand side, but could soon have Alejandro Garnacho breathing down his neck for a starting spot.
Nicolas Jackson – 6
Played a vital part in Madueke’s opening goal after just two minutes, latching onto a loose header and calmly tapping it across for the winger to finish.
Had a chance of his own a matter of moments later after a ball across the box from Palmer, but opted to look for Jadon Sancho instead – a confident striker probably scores that.
Faded as the game went on and City started to dominate before he was subbed for Christopher Nkunku.
SUBS:
Christopher Nkunku (Nicolas Jackson, 61) – 5
Was given 30 minutes to prove he’s worthy of a starting spot, or put himself in the shop window against City, and failed to do either.
A severe lack of service doesn’t help that, but he looked invisible out there nonetheless.
Pedro Neto (Jadon Sancho, 73) – 5
Pretty much a like-for-like replacement for Sancho tonight. A few nice touches but no end product.
Malo Gusto (Reece James, 73) – 5
Not bad, but not as impressive as James.
Looks a shadow of the player he was last season so far in this campaign.
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