Gary Neville labelled Chelsea a ‘mess’ after some calamitous defending in their shock defeat to Leeds United.
After a promising showing against Arsenal on Sunday, the Blues were brought crashing back down to earth on Wednesday night at Elland Road.
Enzo Maresca’s side found themselves two goals down at half-time through goals from Jaka Bijol and Ao Tanaka. Pedro Neto pulled one back five minutes into the second-half to give the visitors hope but Chelsea were architects of their own downfall with 18 minutes of the contest remaining.
In his own box, Malo Gusto slid a questionable pass back into the path of Tosin Adarabioyo who’s poor attempt to control the ball in his own six yard area was pounced upon by Noah Okafor.
His effort was partially blocked by Robert Sanchez but spilled into the path of Dominic Calvert-Lewin who had an easy tap-in to make it 3-1.
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‘It’s a nightmare for Maresca, a dream for Leeds,’ Neville said while on commentary duty for Sky Sports, naming Gusto and Tosin as those to blame for the catastrophe.
‘The centre backs on the ball have been sloppy all night. I’m not sure if Gusto’s pass to Chalobah is the right one, you just have to welly it up the pitch. What are you doing trying to control it and play it back in there? And Sanchez… it is difficult for him.
‘That front two for Leeds have beat Chelsea up for 72 minutes.
‘What a mess. Chelsea’s defenders have been poor on the ball all night, playing it int their own six yard box to each other.’
Chelsea’s recent form and performance against Arsenal fuelled talk of a title charge at Stamford Bridge this season.
But Neville was blunt in his assessment of those hopes during Wednesday’s display, insisting the club are not good enough in three key areas to challenge Arsenal.
‘It is a reflection of where they are at,’ Neville continued.
‘I think they will be top four or five no problem. But when we talk about winning the league, they are short in goal, short at centre-back and short up top. Their centre forwards, centre-backs and goalkeeper are not good enough to be title winners.’