Hull City 0 – 2 Chelsea: Four lessons learned from a must-win
By Scott Brant
Chelsea secured a crucial three points and kept a clean sheet against Hull City. What are some of the key lessons from how the Blues earned the victory?
Antonio Conte made the long-awaited shift to a three-man backline against Hull City. Knowing he had to make drastic personnel and formation changes after Chelsea’s defeat at Arsenal, he employed a variation of the system that worked so well for him in Italy.
Hull City provided a good test run for the new tactics, particularly given John Terry’s continued absence. As Conte and Chelsea go into the international break with plenty of work to do ahead of Leicester City, what are some of the key lessons they will study from yesterday’s win?
Chelsea unveils a new system
The three-defender back-line was in effect from the opening whistle. Cesar Azpilicueta, Gary Cahill and David Luiz went the full 90 in that formation, but they are not the skipper’s preferred three.
"It can be a big change in the tactical aspect. More than the system, what’s important is the principles, then you can change. This week we’ve worked a lot, we must find the right way to be more compact. – Chelsea FC"
Given the Blues’ current injury situation they did a acceptable job. A few first-half long balls over the top tested their organization and positioning. As the match went on Cesar Azpilicueta emerged as the clear director and organizer, shouting and arranging his teammates during set pieces and corners.
He also completed 54 of 66 passes, almost doubling David Luiz’s total. The new system looks promising, and should get better with practice and the proper personnel at the back.
A newly cautious Diego Costa
Last week Diego Costa looked possessed, like nothing was going to stop him. It possibly the only positive of the Arsenal match. Against Hull City, Diego Costa was strangely reserved, laid back, as if nothing seem to bother him.
Eventually, the dam burst during his post-game interview with Eden Hazard.
Facing Hull, he pressed high and ran down defenders showing hustle. Apart from a great finish, he had a average match. Even with the slow day Costa has managed to score 50% of Chelsea’s Premier League goals. With another few players contributing, the Blues’ offense will really start to produce. Sitting on a possible match ban with one more yellow card, this may have to be the way he plays.
N’Golo Kante moving up!
Antonio Conte pushed N’Golo Kante up the pitch against Hull City. Playing further forward allows Kante the freedom to pester the opposition on defense while spraying the ball out wide as he did against the Tigers.
Not surprisingly, Kante filled the role much better than Nemanja Matic could. Matic was not convincing once again but appears Conte will continually send him out there.
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That being the scenario, Conte should keep the Serbian in the holding role and allow the French international the freedom to go forward. It was great to see Kante so energetic and productive as the last few matches were worrisome. The two defensive midfielders worked together today, reversing the trend of tripping over one another.
A must win on the 1st of October?
This Hull City match was a must win. On it’s face, that should sound insane. This opponent on this early of a date is a must win.
But the Blues achieved only one point in the last three matches. The defense has been making stupid mistakes since Swansea. Antonio Conte particularly needed a positive result. He can not afford to give the board any reasons to get some smart ideas.
The realistic goal is a top four finish, which will be tough given the teams ahead of Chelsea on the table. To achieve this goal Chelsea simply can not afford to draw or drop points against bottom-half teams. The Blues will desperately need these points, particularly after the debacles against Arsenal and Liverpool.
Next: Quick thoughts on Chelsea victory over Hull City
Imagine what Manchester City is capable of if the Blues cannot get into rhythm.