Amid turbulent seasons experienced by both clubs, Antonio Conte brushed aside a wayward effort from fellow ex-Chelsea manager Frank Lampard to replicate the Italian’s seasoned and curated wing-back system. The result was a tormenting scoreline that intensifies Everton’s very real relegation fears. Tactical analysis and match report by Charles Orchard. November’s rather forgettable stalemate between […]
Manchester City might be etched more closely to beautiful football than most, but even they have to turn to scraps when they are forced to. A resounding Everton defensive display had kept an awkward City restricted, but give a Pep Guardiola team control and you will be punished. Tactical analysis and match report by Joel […]
Flexibility, wide rotations, and false nine’s hit Chelsea with a flash of old Pep-fluency. Manchester City had the game wrapped up, with three goals before half-time, as they delivered a message for the rest of the league, whilst pressure continues to grow on Frank Lampard. Tactical analysis and match report by Joel Parker. A matchup between […]
A matchup between two teams, level on points, forty-eight hours after their last game was not ideal for both, but Chelsea and Aston Villa served up a feisty affair. Chelsea blew hot and cold, convincing combinations hand-in-hand with fruitless passes, whilst Aston Villa pressed effectively, without feeding their attack as much as they could have. […]
Boxing Day brought a much-needed win for Mikel Arteta. Not only does it buy him time, but the convincing way his Arsenal side dispatched their unflattering London rivals provides a blueprint for the future. His team showcased a functional system, combinations, and a balanced framework in an entertaining affair. Tactical analysis and match report by Joel […]
A game between two of the top three teams in the league usually offers fun offensive displays and strong tactical game plans. Tottenham Hotspur’s compact defensive block was superior, but they offered nothing on the transition, against a Chelsea side that lacked creativity and imagination. Tactical analysis and match report by Joel Parker. As if 2020 […]
From an entertainment perspective, Manchester United and Chelsea played out a rather unspectacular affair at Old Trafford, as both managers focused on defensive stability without taking too much risk initially. In the second half, United tried to open the game up a bit more with the introduction of Paul Pogba and Edinson Cavani, however they […]
The first half saw Liverpool on top but Chelsea were able to hold on with their passive 4-5-1 defensive shape and occasional transition attacks through Timo Werner. Andreas Christensen’s sending off just before half-time changed the game though, as ten-man Chelsea were unable to cover space defensively. Two Sadio Mané goals wrapped the game up […]
Graham Potter’s effect on Brighton’s attacking style continued, and impressively so. Were it not for wasted openings and missed chances, Lampard’s own tactical adjustments might not have been enough to fully disrupt an opening match day result for Brighton. Tactical analysis and match report by Peter Munnelly. Looking to improve on last season’s fifteenth-placed finish, […]
Although Bayern Munich did not fully flex their muscles, they showed enough to see why so many tip them as favorites for this year’s Champions League trophy. Thiago Alcântara’s super passes and Robert Lewandowski’s goalscoring prowess tore through a battered Chelsea, whose tactical gamble failed to pay off. Tactical analysis and match report by Joel […]