Gary Neville could only issue a brief statement of resignation and a sigh when talking about Robert Sanchez after he went walkabout from his goal to hand Manchester City a simple second in Saturday evening's Premier League defeat for Chelsea. Sanchez found himself on the edge of his box Erling Haaland dinked home for what turned out to be the winner.

Having gotten away with spilling one shot into the path of Omar Marmoush in the first half thanks to the offside flag, Sanchez was caught in no man's land when Haaland took down a long pass midway through the second. Despite defensive cover from Marc Cucurella and Trevoh Chalobah, Sanchez was left stranded, making a tough chance a much easier one.

According to the The xG (expected goals) Philosophy, his positioning turned a shot worth 0.03xG into one valued at 0.42xG. For Neville, his position in the Chelsea team is simple.

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"And he's not good enough," the Sky Sports pundit said on commentary when going through that goal. Analysing City's direct approach into Haaland in the second half and the way Chelsea defended, there was little else that he could add.

Speaking ahead of the game, head coach Enzo Maresca defended his goalkeeper following further criticism that came on Monday night when he failed to hold onto a Wolves corner, allowing an easy tap-in equaliser. "Robert is okay, he is okay," Maresca said.

"It is a matter for me to understand that anything can happen. How many times has Moi [Caicedo] missed a pass during the season? Many times. How many times has Nico [Jackson] missed a goal? Many times. How many times has Noni [Madueke] missed a cross? Many times.

"Robert has made four mistakes from the beginning of the season that we conceded a goal? It is normal. It is part of the game. If you don't risk, if you don't play, then you don't make a mistake.

"For me, it's not any strange thing behind Robert's mistake. It is part of our job."

The Chelsea No.1 has been highlighted for struggling with the ball at his feet - handing opposition chances when passing out, but in the last week his ability to simply act as defensive cover has been brought back into focus. Sanchez has also been under scrutiny for his other distribution, throwing the ball out into dangerous areas as well.

Against City he lost possession 19 times, more than any other player. It was still involvement in the defining goal for Haaland that generated the most attention.

When asked about the incident himself, Haaland said he was surprised to see Sanchez so far out after deciding against going directly for the ball in an attempt to sweep up. Meanwhile, summer signing Filip Jorgensen watched on from the bench.

He has been unable to force his way into the Premier League since signing for £22million from Villarreal over the summer. Sanchez, a £25million incoming in 2023 for Chelsea, hasn't gained the trust of his fellow teammates or the watching Chelsea supporters.