Roy Keane has not held back with his assessment of Levi Colwill and his duel with Brian Brobbey in Chelsea’s 1-0 defeat to Sunderland on Sunday afternoon.

Colwill was at fault for Sunderland’s goal after giving away a penalty, which Enzo Le Fee was able to convert. It was awarded after the central defender’s foul on Brobbey inside the Sunderland box.

Speaking on Sky Sports, Keane said: “It’s brilliant centre-forward play from Brobbey. He’s been a big loss to them [following his substitution].

“If you want to criticise the defender, he gets too tight. When you get rolled, you’re in big trouble. I think it’s the right decision. A big moment for Sunderland.”

In attack, Cole Palmer also put in a disappointing performance. Chelsea’s forward line as a whole struggled, although there was some improvement after Estevao Willian and Geovany Quenda were introduced.

After his impact against Manchester United last weekend, Chelsea supporters would have wanted to see Estevao start, especially with Joao Pedro still out injured. But Xabi Alonso preferred a front three of Palmer, Rogers and Pedro Neto, who offered very little.

Following the international break, Chelsea face Leeds United at home. Alonso will be desperate to have Pedro back for that game and will be expecting to see much better defending from Colwill, who simply could not live with Brobbey at the Stadium of Light.