Robert Sanchez 'knows he must do better' as Enzo Maresca admits goalkeeper's blunder 'changed the game' in Chelsea loss to Man City

Chelsea were beaten 3-1 by City on Saturday, with Sanchez enduring a terrible performance. While he was well-beaten by Josko Gvardiol's rebounded finish, at 1-1, City sent a searching ball up to Erling Haaland. Having taken it down, he dribbled towards the penalty area, holding off Trevoh Chalobah along the way, and Sanchez inexplicably rushed out of his goal, leaving Haaland with a wide open net to aim at. Phil Foden then finished off the rout late on.

Maresca has now claimed that Sanchez is well aware of his own shortcomings, and has urged him to find a way to improve his form. In his last five appearances in the Premier League, he has failed to keep a clean sheet, and has conceded nine goals.

Maresca told Sky Sports: "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."

He added, in his press conference: "Robert, for sure, is completely aware he has to do better. He knows perfectly. In this moment it is like this. The good thing is he is the first one knowing, aware that he has to do better... We trust Robert for sure. He is completely aware he is making mistakes in this moment. We trust Robert. We have one entire week and we will see the reaction for the next game."

Chelsea face West Ham next Monday as they attempt to react to their latest setback. The Blues now sit sixth in the Premier League table, one point behind City in fourth.