EPL MATCH ANALYSIS GAMEWEEK 9: CHELSEA VS MANCHESTER UNITED

MATCH ANALYSIS: CHELSEA VS MANCHESTER UNITED

ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE GAMEWEEK 9

This had been a difficult week in terms of fixtures for Jose Mourinho and his team. However on the back of a steady defensive performance vs Liverpool in the previous game week and an excellent attacking performance in midweek in the Europa League, a 3rd positive result would have made it a successful week. Conte’s blue ship had steadied since the shift to a back three and he would have been fairly confident approaching this game with a number of his players looking forward to the reunion with their old manager for different reasons.

FORMATION

Chelsea kept the same formation and personnel from the last game with Pedro keeping his place though Willian had returned from compassionate leave. He and Hazard flanked Costa upfront with Kante and Matic providing the presence and bite in central midfield. Moses and Alonso were the wing backs. Manchester United had just one change from the previous game week with Young dropping to the bench and replaced by Lingard. Lingard and Rashford played in the wide areas of midfield. Herrera was in the holding role flanked by Pogba and Fellaini when United were off the ball. Chelsea played a 3-4-3 formation against Manchester United’s 4-5-1 formation.

Average positions – Chelsea vs Manchester United

CHELSEA’S OFFENSIVE PRESSURE

One of the main benefits of the 3-4-3 formation is the ability to execute offensive pressure due to the number of players in advanced positions.  Jurgen Klopp would have approved as Chelsea created several opportunities from the offensive press. No one typified this more than Pedro and Hazard (2 tackles and 2 interceptions each) who won several balls high up the field and drove at the United backline.  United played into the hands of Chelsea and were often caught on the ball while attempting to build up from the back. An initial direct approach towards any of Zlatan, Pogba or Fellaini would have helped United bypass Chelsea’s initial press and take advantage of a height mismatch vs Kante.

Chelsea Defensive Contribution (Whoscored.com)

UNITED’S LACK OF PRESS AND AN (ALTERNATE) GAME PLAN

United’s game plan was undone by the early goal from Pedro as Chelsea came off the blocks firing. Smalling who would take a big part of the blame for the first goal was solely culpable for the second as he lost his man Cahill near the backpost. For large portions of the first half United did not offer a lot offensively. Valencia was able to get some joy vs Alonso out wide however there was no variation in the wing play and the crosses.

Central Overloads (4v3) created by inward movement of Hazard and Pedro

Just as United were unsure in the build up so also were they uncertain in the press and there appeared to be no clear strategy on how to win the ball when out of possession. United generally dropped into a 4-5-1 shape and looked to deny the spaces in behind and in between. However, the fluid movement inwards by Hazard and Pedro  in the attacking third together with Matic and Kante in deep central areas caused central overloads as United’s midfield three were overwhelmed. This movement especially from Hazard created disconnections between United’s full back and centre back and allowed him to exploit the half spaces.

Martin Atkinson’s decision not to sent off David Luiz for his reckless challenge on Fellaini was a turning point in the match. The introduction of Mata allowed United to gain some measure of control on proceedings in the first 15 minutes as they enjoyed over 70% of the possession.  Chelsea sat back and looked to exploit the counter attacks.  The exploitation of the half spaces was most evident for the third goal were the distances between Valencia and Bailly was large enough for a ship to sail through. Hazard skipped into the half space and received a return ball which he finished confidently.

CONCLUSION

It was a game of two teams providing an education on how to and how not to press. The early goal affected United’s game plan and the defensive frailties shown made it Mourinho’s worst game in the Premier League.

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