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 […]
José Mourinho’s vintage defensive block nullified his greatest opponent and created the counterattacks that recorded his first consecutive wins over Pep Guardiola, in his career. With heavy occupation against their opponent’s eights, Tottenham Hotspur denied Manchester City from getting their creators on the ball, as glaring tactical issues were aggravated further. Tactical analysis and match […]
During a chaotic start, United took the lead in the second minute, before finding themselves 2-0 down only five minutes later. After this, Spurs were largely superior, with a stable possession game and good use of width. Anthony Martial’s sending off just before the 30th minute effectively ended United’s game, as Spurs went 4-1 up […]
Carlo Ancelotti’s new look for Everton has given them their first win at Tottenham Hotspur since 2008, and a great start to the new season. A change to the 4-3-3 formation improved the buildup play, while James Rodríguez’s silky touches and switches took the limelight in a deserved victory. Tactical analysis and match report by […]
If there was one game that fit the pattern of a ‘Mourinho masterclass’, it was this. For all the possession that Leicester City enjoyed, not once did Brendan Rodgers’s side look likely to threaten Mourinho’s defensive-minded Spurs. Instead, the visitors received a clinic in finishing from a rejuvenated Harry Kane, whose performance in this match […]
Arsenal once again used a 3-4-3 system and were able to control possession of the ball and pose certain problems for Spurs in the buildup phase. However, when it came to chance creation, Spurs had the slight edge as they capitalized on Arsenal’s mistakes. After Son Heung-min had cancelled out Alexandre Lacazette’s first half effort, […]
Despite dominating possession, Tottenham Hotspur showed very little creativity in their unbalanced system, and were rightly punished for it. Sheffield United were finally back to their normal selves, defending compactly before great transitions down the flanks exposed more problems with Spurs’s Joséification. Tactical analysis and match report by Joel Parker. The horse race towards the […]
United were the more assertive team from the early stages of the game but were unable to make much of their possession share. Steven Bergwijn was suddenly able to take advantage of some slack United defending to put Spurs 1-0 up just before half an hour. United continued struggling in the second half until Paul […]
Awful league form and an early Champions League exit have raised the question whether José Mourinho is still an elite football manager. Public ramblings towards Tanguy Ndombélé, Eric Dier hurdling rows of seats to confront supporters and Mourinho’s eccentric comments on how the Leipzig bench could play in his first team have epitomized a club […]
José Mourinho switched to a somewhat surprising 3-4-3 formation for this Champions League return match. The switch appeared to bring Tottenham Hotspur slightly more joy, without surrendering the numerical advantage in wide buildup to RB Leipzig. However, the severely lacking cohesion in Spurs’ attacks – especially compared to Leipzig – made a telling difference. Tactical […]