Gary Neville hammered Marcos Alonso live on air during Chelsea’s shock London derby defeat.
The legendary Manchester United defender turned Sky Sports pundit said the Blues left-back “cost his side the game” for failing to track the run of West Ham matchwinner Andriy Yarmolenko.
The Ukrainian striker came off the bench and capped a clinical counter-attack from David Moyes’ side on 89 minutes as the hosts tore through the Chelsea defence to snatch all three points.
West Ham had come from behind to lead 2-1 in a dramatic encounter at the London Stadium that then looked destined for a draw after a wicked Willian free-kick equalised for Chelsea.
With the visitors pouring forwards to try and win the match themselves, however, the Hammers were able to capitalise on an exposed back four to score a potentially relegation-saving goal.
Speaking on commentary when a replay of Yarmolenko’s goal appeared on screen, with clear air between him and Alonso, Neville said: “You see Yarmolenko is back there with Alonso.
“Look at him, look at him, look at him. What are you doing Marcos Alonso? What are you doing? There's his running back speed.
“It has cost Chelsea the game, along with a poor piece of defending from [Antonio] Rudiger.”
Neville continued: “Marcos Alonso is level with him [Yarmolenko] at the point where that counter-attack starts and he doesn’t bother.
“That’s why he is under pressure at this football club. Frank Lampard will see that.
“Run back as fast as you can when your team lose the ball. You learn that aged six.”
Ashley Cole, a Chelsea left-back great, piled onto the criticism of Alonso in the Sky studio.
He said after the game: “I think they'll be disappointed. I hate when full-backs are happy to run forward and not track back.
“A point would have been okay for Chelsea, Alonso – could he have got back quicker? Probably, yes.
“Rudiger, it’s difficult when you’re playing against a left footer and he cuts inside. I think Alonso needs to run back quicker. I think Chelsea had four players back and they've reacted too late.”
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