Gary Lineker poked enjoyable at Kepa Arrizabalaga and Alan Shearer laid into Chelsea after their FA Cup defeat to Manchester Metropolis.
Chelsea had been abject of their third-round tie on the Etihad, conceding three targets within the first half and barely threatening the hosts on the different finish all through.
The stress is mounting on Graham Potter, who described the opening interval of the sport as significantly “painful and difficult for us all”.
He added: “We had been second finest to a really, superb facet. We aren’t in an incredible second and despite the fact that it was a cagey first 20 minutes we couldn’t assault the backline properly sufficient, we couldn’t assault in addition to we wish.
“Manchester Metropolis are superb at stopping you doing that however on the identical time we struggled.
“By way of the Premier League we’ve misplaced 4 matches – to Newcastle away, once we had 9 gamers unavailable, we misplaced 1-0 to Arsenal, we misplaced on a foul day to Brighton and we misplaced to Manchester Metropolis. We’ve additionally drawn to Manchester United and Brentford so the leads to a small area of time aren’t optimistic.
“You can also make excuses and search for causes or say it isn’t adequate. Each of these solutions are right. We’ve to maintain bettering and stick collectively as a result of clearly we’re struggling as a soccer membership and it’s not good in any respect. However that’s the place we’re in the meanwhile.
“You perceive the supporters’ frustration, we respect that. There are at all times different opinions and negativity and criticism as a result of the outcomes haven’t been optimistic. That’s a part of the job and a part of the problem.”
Julian Alvarez made the rating 2-0 on the half-hour mark with a penalty after Kai Havertz‘s inexplicable handball, the Argentinean changing after Chelsea keeper Kepa tried to place him off with what appeared to quantity to a bit chat on the spot.
BBC Sport presenter Lineker scoffed on the Spaniard’s actions as they replayed the footage at half-time.
“What about this?” he mentioned. “I feel Alvarez might be saying ‘Mate, I’ve simply received a gold medal on the World Cup, I’m not frightened about you’.”
Micah Richards, who was on punditry responsibility, joked: “Not fairly Emi Martinez, is he?”, to which Lineker responded: “Pound store Emi Martinez.”
Kepa tried to psych out Álvarez and Álvarez was simply laughing with him and scored. Think about attempting to psych out a World Cup winner who trains penalty kicks with Emiliano Martínez. 🇦🇷
— Roy Nemer (@RoyNemer) January 8, 2023
Alvarez advised ESPN Argentina: “The goalkeepers at all times attempt to do their factor, it doesn’t hassle me in any respect. I had already determined to shoot it like that and properly, it was a purpose.”
Shearer, additionally on BBC responsibility, hammered Chelsea after the sport.
“Manchester Metropolis have been improbable in each single place,” he mentioned. “They’ve dominated all around the pitch and been sensational.
“From a Chelsea viewpoint, that’s not acceptable, that efficiency. I mentioned they wanted some power, character, all of these issues.
“I don’t care what number of accidents you’ve bought in your staff, you’ll be able to nonetheless exit and put a shift in. They haven’t and it’s embarrassing from their viewpoint.”
