The young talent stands out for Chelsea while the Blues suffer another loss to City
Lewis Hall showcased his potential in what was otherwise a disappointing night for Chelsea, as they were beaten 2-0 by Manchester City in the Carabao Cup. The 18-year-old made a compelling case for more regular appearances in Graham Potter’s squad, proving to be one of the few bright spots for the Blues.
Despite Chelsea’s struggles throughout the match, Hall was the standout player, and he could have easily scored had it not been for some excellent saves from City goalkeeper Stefan Ortega. In the first half, Hall’s shot, after a quick counter-attack involving Christian Pulisic, was thwarted by Ortega’s fine save. He later had another opportunity when Hakim Ziyech set him up after a dazzling pirouette, but once again, Ortega was up to the task.
Though he didn’t find the back of the net, Hall impressed with his dribbling and ability to win free-kicks, particularly against Manchester City’s 18-year-old Rico Lewis. His technical ability was evident as he caused problems for City’s defence, although there was a lapse in concentration that nearly led to a goal from Ilkay Gundogan.
Despite his individual performance, the rest of Chelsea’s team struggled, and City’s quality ultimately told. Chelsea’s defence faltered on both goals, with Kalidou Koulibaly failing to react to a Riyad Mahrez free-kick in the 53rd minute, and the Blues’ lack of urgency led to Julian Alvarez doubling City’s lead soon after. Chelsea made attacking substitutions in an attempt to fight back, but it was too little too late as City comfortably sealed the win.
The defeat was another blow for Chelsea, who have now lost three of their last four matches, as they look forward to the World Cup break. However, Hall’s performance was a rare positive, demonstrating that the young talent is ready to stake his claim in the first team.
