Gary Neville has shared that ‘even the Chelsea manager’ wanted Saido Mane sent off after less than a minute of Liverpool’s 2-2 draw against their title rivals at Stamford Bridge, as he told Super Sunday on Sky Sports.
The Sky pundit thinks that Mane didn’t elbow Cesar Azpilicueta on purpose, after the Liverpool player was shown a yellow card for his actions towards the Chelsea defender.
Mane did lead with his elbow when he caught Azpilicueta in the face, it’s just a case of whether he meant it or whether he knew where the Chelsea player’s when he jumped for the ball.
What didn’t help Chelsea’s matters is that, minutes later, Mane is then opening the scoring for Liverpool and wheeling away in celebration.
When the incident initially happened, the hostile Chelsea crowd weren’t too pleased by what they saw, nor was their manager on the touchline, but Neville defended the Liverpool player.
“The elbow has made contact into Azpilicueta’s face,” said Neville. “It will hurt that, no doubt. I don’t think Mane has done it on purpose. He has just gone to lead with his arm.
Then when he scored: “Mane is absolutely brilliant at anticipating where the ball is going to fall. He has struggled a bit this season in front of goal. He decides to take it around the keeper, fakes to shot, sends Mendy the wrong way and then it’s the power that beats Azpilicueta.
“Not just the Chelsea fans, even the Chelsea manager thinks he shouldn’t be on the pitch.
“Look, it’s not a great one from Mane. It’s six seconds into the game and maybe that what helps him. I don’t think he looks at Azpilicueta and rocks his elbow back as if he really meant it.”
It was an all-action game at Stamford Bridge this afternoon, with most of the damage being done inside the first half.
After 26 minutes, Chelsea fans would have been fearing the worst when Mo Salah showcased why he is one of the best players in the world by scoring a quite stunning goal to put his team 2-0 up.
But Chelsea used their home crowd to fight back, with Mateo Kovacic scoring a quite remarkable volley from the edge of the area, before Christian Pulisic then levelled the scores.
All in all, it doesn’t help Chelsea, nor Liverpool, because they needed the three points here and it’s those in Manchester City colours rubbing their hands with glee.
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