Premier League
Tottenham Hotspur – Manchester United: United Adapt While José Is Stuck in The Past (1-3)
After a first half of poor passing quality, one team tinkered to resolve such issues, while the other wallowed in self-pity. A goal, crafted in Poch-Esque
Arsenal – Liverpool: Yielding Gunners Ignite Liverpool’s Top Four Priorities (0-3)
After early phases of even pressing, Liverpool flexed their authority, gained control and put their trademark pressing triggers in place. What was needed was a switch,
Leicester City – Manchester City: Rodgers Needs More than Cunning To Crack The City Code (0-2)
The defensive game plan of Leicester City disrupted their opponents’ buildup, but an aggressive counterpress left the Foxes’ cornered. Manchester City know more than one route
Everton – Manchester City: Ancelotti Can Only Pause The Pep Machine For So Long (0-2)
Carlo Ancelotti’s switch to a 5-3-2 defensive shape was sensible and organized, against a Manchester City team that missed their usual fluency. However, the missing offensive
Arsenal – Tottenham Hotspur: Left-Side Dynamism Hands Gunners the Bragging Rights (2-1)
The North London derby followed a similar chain of events, in terms of Arsenal control and Tottenham Hotspur defense. However, flexibility down Arsenal’s left channel and
Leeds United – Chelsea: Defensive Structures Cancel Each Other Out (0-0)
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
Chelsea – Everton: Kai And Company Cruise Past Everton (2-0)
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
Manchester City – Manchester United: United Stun City With Timely Goals (0-2)
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
Liverpool – Chelsea: Cohesive Chelsea Win At Anfield (0-1)
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
Chelsea – Manchester United: Stalemate With High Standards (0-0)
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