Four points now separate Chelsea and the top five after the weekend’s results, and Gary Neville thinks two Chelsea players are to blame if Liam Rosenior’s side do not qualify for the Champions League.
Liverpool’s win over Fulham on Saturday afternoon at Anfield meant Chelsea had to beat Man City at Stamford Bridge to remain a point behind the Reds. The first half suggested Chelsea could do just that.
Marc Cucurella was unlucky to see his goal ruled out for offside. But after half-time, City dominated. Pep Guardiola’s side scored two quick-fire goals through Nico O’Reilly and Marc Guehi, shortly after the break.
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Malo Gusto and Jeremy Doku
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A Moises Caicedo mistake saw Jeremy Doku make it 3-0. Not only has the gap increased to four, but Brentford and Everton are a point behind. Neville says a Champions League place has evaded Chelsea.
Gary Neville thinks Chelsea duo are to blame
There are plenty of reasons Chelsea are losing the battle to finish fifth. Had Chelsea held on against Leeds and Burnley, they would be level on points with Liverpool. Liam Rosenior still has his doubters, too.
But according to Neville on his Sky Sports podcast, the fault will lie with Chelsea duo Cucurella and Enzo Fernandez for causing discontent in the dressing room after their comments during the break.
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‘When you’ve got the two experienced players that they have, demonstrating discontent and saying that the previous manager was good and we’re not sure why it changed. I agree, had to be consequences.
‘The problem is those players are still going in the dressing room having an influence and if they’ve got a bottom lip down by their shoe, sulking and slagging the club off, It will be a difficult end to the season.
‘It feels to me now that Chelsea will miss out on Champions League football. I think Chelsea are going to miss out because of what has happened over the last few weeks,” Neville said when discussing Chelsea.
Did Chelsea miss Enzo Fernandez? Terry and Rosenior disagree
Speaking ahead of Sunday’s game, Chelsea legend John Terry felt his old club had made a mistake in punishing Fernandez. He felt that Chelsea needed their best players to get a result, like Fernandez.
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It comes at the same time as injuries to key players, like Reece James and Trevoh Chalobah. Would Fernandez have prevented Chelsea from losing 3-0? Unlikely, but he might have played a part.
Asked if he regretted Fernandez’s ban following the defeat, Rosenior suggested that it was possible Fernandez might have improved Chelsea’s chances. But City went up a gear and Chelsea couldn’t cope.
The fixtures don’t get any easier for Chelsea, as they look to claw Liverpool back in. They take on Man United next at Old Trafford, who are in action against Leeds United on Monday night.
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