At first glance, this contest contained the hallmarks of many previous battles. But this Boxing Day bout was the latest demonstration that the former heavyweight champion cannot launch the same powerful punch from yesteryear. And their coach is still stuck at the drawing board. Tactical analysis and match report by Emmanuel Adeyemi-Abere. From formidable to […]
Breaking down an immensely compact low block is not fun at the best of times. Sean Dyche brought his organized team to Arsenal, who needed three points to have a chance at the ultimate celebration. Pep denied them of that right once more, but Arsenal can be encouraged by the foundations they have built. Tactical […]
The champions returned to winning ways in the Premier League, although the victory was far from straightforward. Everton’s aggressive approach caught Manchester City off guard, yet City, inspired by Pep Guardiola’s second-half adjustments, orchestrated another comeback to clinch a crucial win. Tactical analysis and match report by Rahul Madhavan. November cast a shadow over the blue […]
Sixty-nine years in England’s top flight, Abdoulaye Doucouré ensured that the clock was not going to reset. Despite another Goodison Park miracle, the bigger picture looms: with the finances and money spent, Everton should never have gotten into this position. Tactical analysis and match report by Joel Parker. Judgment day began with Everton in pole […]
Control. It’s something that Pep Guardiola craves most, so this performance should go high in his books. Manchester City pierced through a compact low block down the left side and magical touches from İlkay Gündoğan stole the story: even if expected goals tried to tell something different. Tactical analysis and match report by Joel Parker. […]
Sean Dyche was forced to change his hand, but the switch to the 4-4-2 formation did not go well. Manchester United had routes through and over the top against a frantic Everton defense, before the axis was changed in the second period. Tactical analysis and match report by Joel Parker. In years past, games between United […]
Sean Dyche did not need to reinvent the wheel to frustrate the high-flying hosts in this fixture, but patience paid off in the end for Arsenal, whose opponents’ resistance wore off with time. Tactical analysis and match report by Emmanuel Adeyemi-Abere. Maturation requires one to learn from mistakes and grow from adversity— two qualities that […]
Everton had problems against Liverpool’s high tempo play in this match, as well as being forced back by the home side’s counterpressing. The match winning goals for Liverpool arrived either side of half time via counterattacks which were finished off by Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo, giving Liverpool a fairly comfortable win in the end […]
Everton wasted no time in showing the improved defensive organization brought by their new coach, as their 4-5-1 shape was able to repel Arsenal’s strong positional attacking. Going forward, Everton were also dangerous, creating the better chances and eventually finding a set-piece winner courtesy of James Tarkowski’s header. Tactical analysis and match report by Josh Manley. […]
Manchester United delivered an emphatic victory over Burnley at Old Trafford, with Scott McTominay scoring the opener and setting up Cristiano Ronaldo for the third goal. However, all is not rosy yet – Burnley created a number of chances, especially down the flanks, and the fullback positions continue to be of concern for United. Tactical […]