Alan Shearer tears into "embarrassing" Chelsea in brutal half-time assessment

08 January 2023 , 22:02

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Alan Shearer tears into "embarrassing" Chelsea in brutal half-time assessment

Premier League legend Alan Shearer did not hold back in his scathing assessment of Chelsea's performance away at Manchester City on Sunday night.

Graham Potter's men were well-beaten at the Etihad as Pep Guardiola's side ran out 4-0 winners. The hosts were three goals to the good before the half-time whistle, with Riyad Mahrez, Julian Alvarez and Phil Foden all getting on the score-sheet.

Mahrez bagged his second and City's fourth late on from the penalty spot to heap further pressure on Potter. The Blues boss finds his job under intense scrutiny after Chelsea were resigned to their fifth defeat in seven games.

Shearer's brutal analysis came at the interval, with the pundit telling BBC Sport: "They’ve been fantastic Manchester City, in every single position, from the start of that first-half until half-time. They’ve dominated all over the pitch and been sensational.

"From a Chelsea point of view, it’s not acceptable, that performance. We said beforehand they need a bit of energy, character, all of those things.

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"I don’t care how many injuries you’ve got in your team, you can still go out and put a shift in. They haven’t, and it’s embarrassing from their point of view."

Graham Potter's Chelsea came under fire after they defeat by Manchester City

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Shearer wasn't alone in his opinion of Chelsea's performance, with the Blues travelling support seemingly turning on their current boss as they chanted the name of his predecessor Thomas Tuchel.

The away fans also made their feelings on owner Todd Boehly clear, while they sung for previous owner Roman Abramovich - potentially frustrated at recent transfer dealings under their new American chief.

After the game, Potter was pressed for comment on the chants and he admitted he understands their feelings.

"We can't do anything but do our jobs better and work harder," Potter explained. "We understand the supporters frustration but our job is to do our job. There are always other opinions, critcism and negativity, but that's part of the challenge."

The Chelsea manager did urge the fanbase to stick together when asked about the chants for Tuchel, claiming: "We need to stay together as group, support each other, and I’m sure we will get the support of the supporters when we see good performances and results."

Though speculation suggests Potter's role in the Stamford Bridge could be under threat, the Blues boss has recently met with those at the top of the club's hierarchy and has received assurances that he has the full trust of those running things.

Josh O'Brien