Chelsea needed their second striker to find a goal against West Bromwich
By George Perry
Chelsea controlled every aspect of their match against West Bromwich Albion, but scarcely challenged West Brom’s goal. The Blues needed their little-used two-striker line up to create the presence and confusion that led to Michy Batshuayi’s goal.
Chelsea’s game against West Bromwich Albion hewed to nearly all expectations. Chelsea dominated possession (68%). They outshot West Brom by greater than 3:1 margin. Most of their shots came from outside the box. And they emerged 1-0 victors on a late goal sown from confusion, persistence and a bit of luck.
The identity of the goal-scorer may have been the only thing not readily foreseeable. Antonio Conte sent Michy Batshuayi on for Eden Hazard in the 75′. Up until that point Chelsea had only four shots on target. Two of those shots came from outside the area, and all four went to the centre of the goal mouth where Ben Foster easily controlled them. Batshuayi’s shot was Chelsea’s first within the six-yard box.
West Brom played six men across the top of the box. The remaining players clustered just in front of the defensive line in the centre of the pitch. It was a classic Tony Pulis defensive scheme, forcing Chelsea to play wide and to sail shots in from non-threatening distances.
Cesc Fabregas spent the night seeking out the pass that would lead to the game-winning goal. For the second consecutive game he completed more passes than any other player attempted. But without Chelsea’s forwards going on runs around and behind West Brom’s line, his passes could only go so far as the Baggies’ wall. West Brom were 29/29 in clearances, keeping the ball well away from Chelsea’s forwards.
Michy Batshuayi’s entrance shfited Chelsea to a 3-5-2 formation. His ability to run in behind the defensive line pushed West Brom closer to their goal. Fabregas and Chelsea’s wingers had an additional target in the box with Batshuayi. This allowed them to create the confusion leading up to Batshuayi’s goal. Without the build-up and pressure in the preceding minute, Batshuayi would not have been able to lurk in front of Foster.
Chelsea were perfectly set up to score the winning goal. Batshuayi was in the classic poacher-striker position when Cesar Azpilicueta’s cross came in. Costa took his preferred station at West Brom’s back post, and Batshuayi covered the near post. West Bromwich’s defence were already spread thin, and they could not mark both strikers.
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Michy Batshuayi demonstrated not just his own worth but the value of the 3-5-2. Chelsea will hopefully emerge from the summer transfer window with sufficient options at striker that the 3-5-2 will be a more regular occurrence next season.