The doppelganger had proven that he was still capable of fighting despite his blood alcohol content being what it was, which meant that Ed's guard was up. He wasn't about to get caught so easily.

While Ed was faster than he was before his automail was upgraded to the cold climate model, he still wasn't fast enough to outrun a transmutation. He was able to respond quickly enough to clap his hands together to counter it with his own to stop it though. After succeeding, he looked back at his foe. He and the doppelganger mirrored each other, both about to clap. Ed went ahead and pressed his hands together and transmuted the ground again, sending spikes of rock up towards the other. It was meant as a distraction. While that was going on he rushed forward to throw another punch with his automail, aiming for his face.