Gary Cahill has suggested that Lewis Hall will take a lot away from the error that caused Chelsea to concede at Fulham last night.
Speaking on BT Sport at half-time yesterday, Cahill criticised the defender for allowing Marco Silva’s side the chance to take the lead, but expected him to correct his mistake.
Hall was partly to blame for Fulham’s opening goal at Craven Cottage yesterday.
The full-back at first seemed to have mopped up the danger on the edge of the box with a good challenge.
However, he overcomplicated the action by trying to dribble out of defence.
His attempted nutmeg was nullified and the hosts regained possession in a dangerous area.
Lewis Hall loses to Fulham
Bobby Decordova-Reid managed to locate Willian with a deep cross, who in turn cut inside and found the bottom corner via a deflection off Trevoh Chalobah.
Whilst Chalobah and Cesar Azpilicueta could’ve done more to prevent Willian’s shot, the danger started with Hall’s misguided confidence.
“We spoke before the game about Lewis Hall being such a prospect for the future. Initially, great defending, but you can’t take those chances in that area of the pitch,” said the former Chelsea captain Cahill.
“I think he’ll be disappointed and that will be a harsh lesson for the young boy.”
Hall will certainly want to go back to the drawing board to assess a few things following Thursday’s defeat.
Playing risky football in your own third is one thing, but failing to convert down the other end is another, equally important skill to master.
The 18-year-old had two big chances to put Chelsea ahead in the first-half, both efforts rather routinely saved by Bernd Leno.
This is not the first time the academy graduate has squandered golden opportunities at crucial points in matches.
Hopefully he and Graham Potter can work on the faults and return stronger for the next Premier League tie, another capital city clash against Crystal Palace.
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