Chelsea: Six lessons learnt from Chelsea’s blitz of Manchester City

Chelsea swatted Manchester City to the side in a massive match for the top of the Premier League. What six lessons can be learned from this big win?

Chelsea, unexpectedly, beat Manchester City on a night when a Chelsea victory would have meant a Liverpool victory. The Chelsea players pulled their weight in the reverse fixture but left the Etihad without even a point. This time they were victorious, in what was nothing short of a dramatic display. Here are a few lessons we learnt from that match.

1. Decision Making in the final third needs improvement

Several times in the final third, Chelsea was one pass away from turning a counter attack into a goal but that pass never came. One particular incident comes to mind: when Ederson misplaced a pass into the path of Mason Mount. He dallied on the ball for far too long when he was supposed to play the ball into the path of Tammy Abraham who would have been one on one. Instead, Mount dragged the ball wide, tightening his angle further and sending his shot into the stands.

Mount is still young and would no doubt improve on his decision making in the final third but moments like this often decide games. Chelsea attackers have to be alert and they have to constantly assess their options so that they can catch their opponents flat footed.

This was not the only such incident on the night. Pedro also had the same opportunity to play in his teammate who was in a better position but he instead decided to try to bend it into the far post. Little things like this end up making a big difference in the long run.

2. Press the ball

Chelsea would not have taken the lead if Christian Pulisic had just stood there after that Manchester City free kick that was cleared. Pulisic had no right to get on the ball. City had four men that were supposed to be covering. Chelsea had one man that was exempted from defending the set piece. It is also worth noting that if Benjamin Mendy does not have that unexplained moment, Pulisic also does not score. But Pulisic did not know Mendy would make such a foolish decision; he just pressed the ball out of habit.

Mount also intercepted the pass from Ederson because he was pressing. Same with Mateo Kovacic when he intercepted an Ederson pass. One never knows when their opponent would have a brain dead moment, so it is always advisable to press the ball when possible. That is the only way you can take advantage of any errors caused by your opponent.