Sterling jeered then cheered as baffling display deepens his downward spiral

After missed penalty and one of the worst free-kicks in history of the FA Cup, it is hard to see forward hitting the heights at current club

How do you begin to assess an afternoon like Raheem Sterling’s against Leicester? The blunt chronology of his notable contributions is as follows: Win a penalty, seize the ball from the regular penalty taker, miss the penalty, miss a one-on-one sitter, set up a goal, take one of the worst free-kicks in the 153-year history of this competition, be booed, be substituted.
A lesser player, a weaker person would have kept a low profile after the missed penalty. Sterling has endured worse moments than a Southgate-esque shot placed at inviting height and distance for Jakub Stolarczyk to save. It has been an unusually elite career, played exclusively at the top level at three of the country’s biggest clubs over 12 years. That will inure you to the mockery that comes from a weak spot-kick in a Cup quarter-final.
Sterling barely reacted, just took a faltering step forward to anticipate the rebound, caught himself when he realised it had gone elsewhere, then performed a brief scan around the pitch for an explanation when the ball was cleared. What he really needed was a mirror, not just for the weakness of the penalty but for taking the ball from Cole Palmer, who has not missed in five attempts this season.
Raheem Sterling’s penalty is saved! 😮#BBCFootball #CHELEI pic.twitter.com/7XsJ3ZE7Nd
Perhaps Sterling felt this was a day for atonement. His form at Chelsea has been so uneven that his once-guaranteed starter status for England now does not even extend to a place in Gareth Southgate’s squad. Leicester were 1-0  down already and a penalty, surely, was a gimme, a chance to Ctrl+Alt+Delete his Chelsea career and log in afresh.
“Cole gave the ball to Raheem, I think they have a very good relationship, that is not a problem,” said Mauricio Pochettino. “Cole can miss, Raheem can miss and I’m going to support always the decisions of my players on the pitch.”
Never mind, there is always another chance. Twenty minutes later, defence split, Sterling into acres, Wout Faes unable to get close to him, an age to decide which of the eight potential keeper-beating shots he might choose for a one-on-one. Sterling attempted to sneak it past Stolarczyk at his near post but it was wide and not particularly close. It was a howlingly poor finish.
Then, appetite undimmed two minutes later, Sterling hared onto a ball on the left and picked out Palmer for an apology assist. It was 2-0 to Chelsea at the break, Sterling’s match rating an unconventional ?/10.
One laughable own goal and excellent Stephy Mavididi equaliser later, Sterling again put himself in charge at a decisive moment. A VAR check snuffed out a penalty, which for the record Palmer was in position to take. Instead Chelsea were given a free-kick on the edge of the area. Sterling’s run-up promised fireworks, the shot was a fiasco. So high it nearly reached the upper tier, so wide it looked like a joke. Even Patson Daka offered a consoling hand afterwards. You know it is bad when the opposition are comforting you.
Raheem Sterling won’t want to watch this one back.#FACup #BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/XoZvjmZVNW
This was the point when the floating voters in Chelsea’s support came out in opposition to their No 7. There had been the odd isolated shout of “get ‘im off” when play broke down at Sterling’s feet before his woeful free-kick. As the ball began its re-entry from earth’s orbit this became sustained and united booing.
“The feelings weren’t good for him,” said Pochettino, “but I’m going to support him. Today was a great opportunity to support him. He has an unbelievable CV. Of course today he missed a penalty and some chances but I am happy with him.”
Chelsea’s fans are less sure. When Pochettino made his first substitution, score still at 2-2, it was Mykhalio Murdryk’s No 10 raised rather than Sterling’s No 7. More boos. Yet when Sterling was substituted next the anger had faded and he was applauded from the pitch. “Chin up Raheem,” shouted one supporter close to the dugout, as suspended Enzo Fernandez shook his team-mate’s hand.
Again, Sterling did not look particularly downbeat, and certainly less so when Chelsea scored twice soon after his removal. His case for inclusion was not helped by Madueke scoring the goal of the game, combining tenacity with calmness to arc in a screamer which added unconvincing gloss to a faltering Chelsea performance.
Perhaps this is a win that will propel them to unexpected glory at Wembley in May. Perhaps Sterling will be redeemed, again. His career has threatened to fade several times, only for Sterling’s brilliance to shine through. Increasingly this looks like a twist too far.
From here, such is the pace of change at his club and in football in general, you cannot imagine him hitting the heights in a Chelsea shirt. But you know he will never hide.