The first encounter between Marcelo Bielsa and Thomas Tuchel did not live up to expectation. Leeds United’s aggressive pressing and Chelsea’s unorthodox shape in the first half, led to limited chances for the visitors; whilst Leeds were incapable of penetrating through an organized opposition defense. Tactical analysis and match report by Joel Parker. The matchup between […]
Facing off with a direct rival to their top-four aspirations, Chelsea looked to carry on their hot streak in a crucial matchup. But it turned out they had little to fear. Thanks to their usual stable platform and a new role for one of their big summer signings, the home team coasted to another win. […]
United took an instant lead through a Bruno Fernandes penalty and continued to put the pressure on City with aggressive defending in the period after. City eventually gained control for the remainder of the first half but could not break United down. City were shocked again early in the second half as a United transition […]
Chelsea’s attacking game plan sought to outplay the Liverpool pressure and beat their offside trap to release their forwards behind Liverpool’s defense. This was relatively successful in the first half and they ended up taking the lead via Mason Mount just before half-time. The second half saw Thomas Tuchel’s side conceding more territory and looking […]
Neither team was able to find the cutting edge to score in this match, but that was down to good defensive schemes as much as anything else. United were proactive in preventing Chelsea dominance in the first half, but then fell back in the second half. The home side had the better chances but were […]
Having taken the lead after seven minutes, Leicester City seemed more than happy to sit in their 4-4-2 shape and keep a hapless Arsenal at bay. Unfortunately for them, Arsenal found their routes through the right and the work of Nicolas Pépé was influential in the goals that they scored. Tactical analysis and match report […]
Manchester City’s flawless record in 2021 offered Arsenal little hope of finding a result against the best team in the land. City delivered, as their typically fluid 4-3-3 shape shone through, blitzing the home team early on. Mikel Arteta’s men fought back with their own intriguing structures and similar principles, but City looked in first […]
Prince no longer has a record dedicated to the year that Everton had last won at Anfield. After identifying Liverpool’s aerial weaknesses and deploying a rotational yet solid backline, Everton executed an effective game plan which got them the lead early and killed the game late on. Tactical analysis and match report by Joel Parker. The […]
Chelsea dominated the ball and had some moderate success playing against Southampton’s high pressing and forcing them deeper later in the half. However, Chelsea had problems creating shots and were punished for this when Takumi Minamino put Southampton ahead. Chelsea equalized through Mount early in the second half but were unable to break down the […]
Leeds came to the Emirates Stadium with their characteristic man-marking approach. However with some smart play from the forwards, Arsenal were able to overcome Leeds’ defensive scheme to take the lead early on, and extend it to 4-0 just after half-time. Leeds threatened a comeback in the second half with two goals, but Arsenal were […]