Chelsea 'let Manchester United off the hook' at Old Trafford, says Gary Neville

Jose Mourinho's team conceded in the 94th minute to drop two points

Sky Sports co-commentator Gary Neville (Getty Images)

Former Manchester United and England defender Gary Neville has again criticised Chelsea for failing to hold onto a lead in a big game.

Jose Mourinho's team led 1-0 at both Manchester City earlier this season and at Old Trafford on Sunday, but conceded late goals that has seen them drop four points.

Chelsea legend Frank Lampard rescued a point for 10-man City at the Etihad in September, while Robin van Persie reacted first to smash home a loose ball in the 94th minute on Sunday to hand United a point.

Neville, speaking on Monday Night Football, said that Chelsea allowed their opponents, in both matches, back into the game by dropping off and conceding territory and possession.

“I was semi-critical of Chelsea a few weeks ago away at Manchester City because when City went down to 10 men I thought they let City off the hook,” Neville on Sky Sports.

“At 1-0 up, I think Chelsea let United off the hook, I really do. There was a mentality shift if you look at the average positions for the first 53 minutes of the match compared to the period from minute 54 to 67 when John Obi Mikel came on.

“It was not the manager changing it, but a mentality shift of the current players on the pitch who had worked themselves into a 1-0 position. They sat deeper.

“If you look at the possession against Manchester City, in the 10 minutes before the goal and the 10 minutes after the goal it’s staggering. They went from 55 per cent possession in the 10 minutes before the goal to 26 per cent possession in the 10 minutes after - and City had 10 men. That can’t be an instruction from the manager.

“[Sunday] they went from 64 per cent to 45 per cent. They switch off. Something happens for them.”

Robin van Persie scored in the 94th minute to rescue a point (Getty Images)

The Blues have kept just two clean sheets in the nine Premier League matches this season, conceding nine already this term, a stark contrast to Mourinho's first spell in charge, during which Chelsea had the best defence in the division and often held on to leads.

Their form in the early part of the season has seen some wonder whether Chelsea can replicate Arsenal's Invincibles and go unbeaten.

“If a team is going to be playing for a 1-0 then you’d better see it out,” added Neville. “When I saw Jose Mourinho two weeks ago he talked about the 2005 team and the team he had then compared to the team he has now. He said the killer instinct is missing.

“When I look at the statistics from all those years ago they are staggering statistics for the team he had first time around. They scored first 28 times and only dropped two points [in those games].

“This team, this season, even though they are at a really high level, have scored first seven times and dropped four points.

“If you’re moving up a level in the next few weeks – and we are demanding a lot here from what is a fantastic team – they have got to get to that next level.

“I think they let United off the hook in the 15 minutes after the goal yesterday.”