Gary Neville fumes at ‘not good enough’ Chelsea star after howler in Man City loss

Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville slammed Robert Sanchez after he was at fault for Erling Haaland’s goal in Manchester City’s 3-1 win over Chelsea at the Etihad on Saturday

Gary Neville has branded Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez “not good enough” after his latest error in the Blues’ 3-1 defeat to Manchester City.

Sanchez was at fault for City’s second goal, with Erling Haaland chipping him from outside the 18-yard box after the Spaniard inexplicably came off his line. And eight time Premier League winner Neville slammed Sanchez while on commentary for Sky Sports.

“It’s old school, classic Haaland,” Neville said. “You just can’t handle him. I don’t know what the goalkeeper is doing. He’s not good enough. Brilliant from Haaland. In the last few minutes, those direct passes have hurt Chelsea. Chelsea deserve this.”

Neville’s comments come after Sanchez made another error in Chelsea’s previous game against Wolves, with the goalkeeper spilling a catch that led to Matt Doherty’s goal. And Blues boss Enzo Maresca has admitted Sanchez is “far from where I want him to be”, with no other player in the Premier League making more errors leading to a goal than his five.

“He’s getting better but he’s still far, far, far from where I want him to be,” Maresca said. “I’m not thinking about (if he will remain the No.1 for) the seasons coming. I’m thinking about this season. For this season? No doubt. But then in the future, we don’t know.

“It is not only about Robert. It is even about me, you know? I’m focused on this moment, this season.” Sanchez was also jeered by the Chelsea fans after his mistake against Wolves and when asked about the reaction he received, Maresca added: “For sure, it is not very good for his confidence.

“But also Robert is a professional who has to learn to deal with that kind of moment. It’s experience for him. He has to improve also to deal with that kind of moment during a game at home where the fans, for any reason, are not happy.

“He has to manage that moment. I didn’t speak with Robert (about it this week). I consider that kind of moment part of our job. You have to learn that you have to deal with that. It’s already happened in the past with Robert and he did quite well.”

Chelsea will be back in action on February 3 when they host West Ham at Stamford Bridge and Maresca will be hopeful his side can bounce back from defeat against City, which has seen them slip out of the top four.

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