IT was a case of males versus boys at Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon as two of the league’s prime sides performed one another for the primary time this season.
Nonetheless, regardless of each groups being thought-about title challengers, the gap between the 2 couldn’t be any additional aside.
Frank Lampard’s Chelsea had been outclassed by Man Metropolis at Stamford BridgeCredit score: Reuters
Manchester Metropolis swatted Chelsea apart with easeCredit score: PA:Press Affiliation
Manchester Metropolis had gone 3-0 up towards Chelsea inside the first 35 minutes, which means it was recreation over earlier than the Blues might even settle into the match.
Pure and easy, Pep Guardiola’s Metropolis confirmed that they’re completely ranges above Frank Lampard’s Chelsea proper now – and the Blues have miles and miles to journey if they’re even to get close to the degrees of the Manchester aspect.
The underside line is Metropolis had been excellent, and Chelsea had been poor. However that wasn’t the story within the first quarter-hour.
Chelsea got here out firing and took the sport to a Covid-19 depleted City line up, and had been unfortunate to not get a penalty and issues might have regarded lots totally different.
However Lampard’s workforce as soon as once more confirmed their full lack of self-belief and timidity when Metropolis took the lead with just about their first assault of the sport.
As an alternative of standing again up and going at it once more, Chelsea fell aside and allowed Metropolis to take management of the match – this spelled recreation over for them.
Their depth ranges weren’t excessive sufficient when placing strain on the ball when Metropolis had it in attacking areas, and their lack of want to get to the second ball, or block a harmful move or shot, was clear for all to see.
Ilkay Gundogan scored an aesthetic opener for MetropolisCredit score: Information Group Newspapers Ltd
Take nothing away from Metropolis, they had been completely class when choosing aside a weak Chelsea defence – however once more, they needed it extra, they needed the second ball extra, they usually hunted Chelsea in numbers, one thing that Lampard’s aspect didn’t do as soon as once more.
We all know that Lampard has a complete host of recent signings on the membership, with some nonetheless taking time to settle in, however I worry for simply how lengthy the Chelsea board will enable these outcomes to go on for.
They might want to see outcomes enhance instantly.
However right this moment was yet one more wake-up name proving simply how far-off Chelsea are from a workforce like Metropolis.
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