Chelsea came from behind to exploit Manchester City’s weaknesses and leave the Etihad victors atop the Premier League. Antonio Conte assigned each player the perfect role to capitalize on City’s vulnerabilities.
When Kevin de Bruyne took the ball on his foot a few yards in front of a gaping Chelsea net, Antonio Conte’s run of success appeared on the verge of ending. Manchester City were running rampant. Gary Cahill’s own goal on the stroke of half time had turned the tide of the top-of-the-table contest. The home side came out after half-time with all the momentum behind them.
The majority of City’s goal scoring chances came from Chelsea’s mistakes, rather than any tactical failure. Repeated defensive mishaps produced confusion and awkward situations among Antonio Conte’s players. Sergio Aguero almost took advantage of a miscommunication between Cahill and Thibaut Courtois. His effort bounced off both Chelsea players and ended up wide, more due to luck than anything Chelsea could muster.
City, like Tottenham Hotspur, found a way to challenge the 3-4-3 formation that has entranced fans and pundits since October. Leroy Sane and Jesus Navas caused problems for Chelsea out wide.
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Marcos Alonso, often slow to turn on his feet, kept getting caught out by the quick pace of City’s attackers. Serial man-of-the-match Victor Moses arguably had his poorest outing of the season. Yet, Conte and Chelsea had still found a way to negotiate their way out of an expected defeat.
Cesc Fabregas’s inclusion for the injured Nemanja Matic was somewhat of a head-scratcher. The hard-working Oscar seemed a more capable midfield option to cope with Manchester City’s high pressure and intensity. But the Spaniard repaid his manager’s faith in him, delivering a fantastic assist for Diego Costa’s equaliser.
The moment brought back memories of the duo’s sublime link-up during the title-winning 2014/15 season. Neither of them could have picked a better time to rediscover their connection. Chelsea had equalised and the floodgates were about to open.
For all of City’s talents in attack, they are vulnerable at the back. Nicolas Otamendi had a solid campaign until he met Diego Costa. Once Costa realised how easily he could beat his marker, the centre-back was in for a tough afternoon.
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While setting up Willian’s goal for the 2-1 lead, Costa spun Otamendi and sped away, with no chance for Otamendi to catch him. City’s wing-backs were completely absent as another devastating Chelsea counter-attack led to a fine finish from the Brazilian winger.
It was much the same in the 90th minute. Eden Hazard got on the end of a chip ball from Alonso, and none of the three City defenders could hope to keep up with him.
Antonio Conte had found his weakness to attack. Jesus Navas and Leroy Sane may have been dangerous attacking threats, but their lack of defensive awareness also made them weak links. Chelsea’s 3-4-3 system contains two wing-backs who are better suited for defensive responsibilities. City’s shortcomings in these positions, by contrast, contributed to their downfall on Saturday.
Though Moses has played the majority of his career in a further attacking position, he has transformed smoothly to a new position. His impressive footballing IQ means Conte can trust him when the opposition have possession. Pep Guardiola cannot say the same about his two full backs.
Chelsea struggled in their own half, however. Manchester City counter-attacks stretched Cahill and Cesar Azpilicueta. This made Chelsea rely on David Luiz continuously being in the right place at the right time to clear any danger. WIthout him, it could have been game over for the Blues.
The win at the weekend bring’s Conte streak to eight Premier League wins in a row. Chelsea sit at the top of the table, three points clear of second-placed Arsenal.
Even though Chelsea look like the best team in England by some distance, there’s still a long way to go. Twenty-five games to be exact. One bad result can have serious consequences for a team flying high at the moment.
But the manner in which Chelsea have answered all challenges that have come their way in the 3-4-3 formation makes it difficult to foresee any negative result in the near future.