Category Archives: Premier League

Manchester City 4-1 Tottenham Hotspur: Both sides press high but Spurs’ defence lets them down

High pressing

This game was a Premier League rarity – one in which both sides came to play with a high block; holding a high defensive line and attempting to close down the opposition in their own half. Manchester City attempted 16 tackles in Spurs’ half, completing 9 of them. Spurs attempted 10, completing 6.

Both sides’ opening goals came from this avenue. Aguero’s opener stemmed from Erik Lamela losing possession to Bacary Sagna in the final third. Similarly, Eriksen’s equaliser arrived as a result of Fernando losing possession at the hands of Ryan Mason in front of his defence. Continue reading →

Liverpool 0-2 Chelsea

Starting lineups

  • Liverpool started in a 4-3-2-1 shape, with the same personnel that narrowly overcame Norwich on Easter Sunday. Both Raheem Sterling and Philippe Coutinho were looking to play between the lines behind lone striker Luis Suarez.
  • Chelsea fielded a variation of the system that stymied Atletico in midweek. Mikel was the anchorman in a 4-1-4-1 on Tuesday night. Here he was joined by Nemanja Matic in a 4-4-1-1 with Frank Lampard surprisingly fielded just in front of the two, ostensibly in the number ten position.

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Arsenal 0-0 Manchester United: Cautious approach from both sides produces insipid deadlock

After an anomalous 2011/12 season that saw the majority of clashes between the top sides produce goalfests, this season has continued last year’s reversion to caution, with this installment of the United/Arsenal rivalry providing us with the latest confirmation of this trend. Continue reading →