Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez has made several mistakes this season (Image: Getty)
boss Enzo Maresca said goalkeeper Robert Sanchez must “do better” after another costly mistake. The Spaniard’s latest error saw come from behind to beat the Blues 3-1 at the Etihad Stadium.
With the scoreline level at 1-1 in the 68th minute, beat Trevoh Chalobah to a long pass in behind ‘s defence. Sanchez came storming off his line, only to be beaten to the ball by Haaland.
The City forward lofted the ball over Sanchez’s head and into an unguarded goal. It comes after Maresca was forced to defend the 27-year-old after he dropped a cross which led to a goal in ‘s 3-1 victory over Wolves on Monday.
Maresca told Sky Sports after ‘s defeat against City: “The game started very well for us. We scored the first one and could have scored the second goal two or three times. The game would have completely changed. We missed.
“The team was there but in the last minutes we conceded for 1-1. The second goal changed the game. Robert is the first one [to admit] he knows he has to do better. Working hard every day [is the way to improve]. We try to have conversations with all of them.
“We are making progress. We are better than one or two months ago. These moments will make us better.”
It is quite the U-turn from Maresca, who insisted that mistakes are part of Sanchez’s job after the shot-stopper’s error against Wolves.
“He’s okay. I understand it can happen,” the Italian said about Sanchez this week.
“How many times Moi [Caicedo] missed a pass? Many times. How many times does Nico [Jackson] miss a goal? Many times. How many times does Noni [Madueke] miss a cross? Many times.
Enzo Maresca has previously backed Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez (Image: Getty)
“It is not something strange, it is part of the job.”
Sanchez has now made five errors leading to goals in the this season. It is the joint-highest in the top-flight, level with Ipswich goalkeeper Arijanet Muric.
Maresca split opinion when he named Sanchez as his first-choice goalkeeper at the start of the season. Filip Jorgensen had replaced the former Brighton man in the second half of last season and impressed in the final months of ‘s reign.
Jorgensen has played second-fiddle to Sanchez this term. It remains to be seen whether Maresca decides to make a change when welcome West Ham to Stamford Bridge on January 3.