Chelsea surrendered their early advantage and ended up empty-handed in a dramatic 2-1 loss to newly promoted Sunderland.
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It was a night to forget, with the EFL Cup looming midweek, and one forward’s display raising serious concerns. ..Continue Reading
Scoring just four minutes in, Alejandro Garnacho drilled a low effort past Robin Roefs, notching his first goal in a Chelsea kit.
Despite Chelsea’s fast start, Le Bris’ side found their rhythm, and 18 minutes later Wilson Isidor slotted home after a chaotic box scramble triggered by a long throw — a tactic gaining traction.
What looked like a hard-earned draw for Sunderland turned into a stunning win in the 93rd minute, as Chemsdine Talbi and Brian Brobbey linked up to snatch all three points.
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Chelsea dominated possession with 70%, yet managed just 0.97 xG, while Sunderland, with fewer shots and chances, posted 1.16 xG.
These troubling numbers are especially concerning for a team chasing a top-four finish, and much of the blame has fallen on Joao Pedro, whose recent form has drawn sharp criticism.
After arriving from Brighton in the summer, the Brazilian made an immediate impact at the Club World Cup — a tournament Chelsea won — scoring three times.
He carried that momentum into the league, with five goal involvements in his first three matches, earning praise as a shrewd signing.
But since mid-September, his output has dried up, and fans are growing impatient with what was once seen as Chelsea’s next big star.
The frustration intensified after his red card against Benfica in the Champions League, and his latest outing versus Sunderland did little to restore faith.
Subbed off after failing to register a single shot, he lost possession three times and was caught offside twice in a performance to forget.
While Garnacho and Pedro Neto delivered with a goal and assist each, Pedro’s absence in key moments continues to be glaring.
“Joao Pedro is so overrated. He’s so slow in and out of possession. Going for him instead of Ekitike was a generational mistake, as I said in June. The reason we signed him is just so incredibly stupid too. He doesn’t suit our team either.” one Chelsea fan claimed on X.
Another added: “Joao Pedro’s decision-making recently has been sooo underwhelming.”
A third chimed in: “Joao Pedro needs to be kept far away from the Chelsea XI, this scrub is a useless player.”
With fixtures piling up, Chelsea fans are losing patience. Criticized for ‘holding onto the ball longer than he needs to’, many are calling for Liam Delap to return to the lineup.
As pressure mounts, Maresca will be hoping the version of Pedro that dazzled at the Club World Cup resurfaces soon.
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