Is this Southgate in disguise? Another winnable game slipped through Chelsea's fingers as defensive errors, poor finishing, and a lack of confidence allowed Manchester City to capitalise, leaving the Blues' top-four hopes hanging by a thread.
Chelsea fell to a 3-1 defeat at the Etihad in a game that could have been a statement of intent but instead highlighted familiar flaws. With tough fixtures looming and top-four rivals circling, this was a missed opportunity to reassert dominance and prove the early-season form was no fluke.
Bright Start, Blown Chances
Chelsea began the game with intent and were gifted a dream start within the opening minutes, courtesy of a calamitous error from Manchester City debutant Khusanov. The City defender failed to clear the ball twice, his weak header falling into the path of Nicolas Jackson, who squared it for Noni Madueke to tap home. It was the perfect welcome to the Premier League for Khusanov—and a perfect start for Chelsea.
The Blues pressed for a second, with Cole Palmer running the show early on. He nearly doubled the lead after being played onside by a struggling Khusanov, but his attempt to square the ball to Jackson fell flat as Jackson failed to anticipate the pass. The resulting City passage of play ended with Phil Foden smashing the post, showcasing the fine margins in a chaotic, end-to-end opening.
Robert Sanchez, whose long-ball tactics were already frustrating me, fumbled a routine save
Living Dangerously
As the half progressed, Chelsea’s familiar pattern under Maresca emerged—slowing the tempo, sitting back, and inviting pressure. City capitalised, forcing errors from a shaky Chelsea backline. Robert Sanchez, whose long-ball tactics were already frustrating me, fumbled a routine save, gifting Marmoush a tap-in. Fortunately, the City striker was offside, but the warning signs were glaring.
Chelsea’s defensive lapses finally cost them just before halftime. A lofted ball over the top exposed their high line, with Cucurella failing to clear after being bullied off the ball under pressure and the ball bounced off Sanchez with Josko Gvardiol pounced to level the score at 1-1, a gut-punch after Chelsea’s promising start.
Second-Half Collapse
The second half began nervously for Chelsea, with Jackson continuing his frustrating performance by squandering chances and misplacing passes. Maresca turned to Christopher Nkunku to inject some quality up top, but City were already in control.
Haaland capitalised on another defensive error to lob Sanchez and put City ahead in the 60th minute. Trevor Chalobah’s slip left Haaland with space, and Sanchez’s indecision in no-man’s land made the Norwegian’s finish look effortless.
City’s dominance grew with the introduction of Kevin De Bruyne, who orchestrated their attacks with trademark precision. Chelsea struggled to build from the back, repeatedly resorting to Sanchez’s predictable long balls, which handed possession straight back to City.
The Final Blow
Foden delivered the knockout punch in the 87th minute, latching onto Haaland’s clever pass after Chelsea’s high line was once again exposed. The England international had the freedom of the pitch to take the ball towards goal and slot past Sanchez, leaving Pep Guardiola grinning smugly on the touchline.
Chelsea had one last gasp effort, with Madueke doing well to beat his man and deliver a cross, but the overhit ball summed up the evening—promising moments with no end product.
A winnable game slipped through Chelsea’s fingers due to poor finishing, shaky defending, and Sanchez’s recurring mistakes.
Where Have Our Chelsea Gone?, Where Have Our Chelsea Gone?
This loss will sting. A winnable game slipped through Chelsea’s fingers due to poor finishing, shaky defending, and Sanchez’s recurring mistakes. The goalkeeper’s inability to play with his feet not only disrupts the team’s rhythm but also highlights the lack of confidence within the squad.
Maresca’s public comments downplaying Chelsea’s title hopes seem to have sapped belief from the players, who are now a shadow of the team that started the season so brightly. Without a reliable striker and a commanding goalkeeper, Chelsea’s top-four aspirations look increasingly precarious.
forgive me for making this comparison but it's so obvious to me. Maresca must have read Southgate's playbook just before Christmas. Take an early lead, sit back and allow pressure. It is classic Southgate behaviour what we are witnessing.
With daunting fixtures ahead, Chelsea must rediscover their identity quickly—or risk watching their season unravel.
