Having discommoded Arsene Wenger’s makeshift back-line with a high-pressing, two-striker system, Preston North End’s predictable second-half retreat — and some wasteful first-half finishing — allowed Olivier Giroud to deny them a well-earned replay. Continue reading
A double positional error from Eden Hazard, one either side of half-time, saw Chelsea concede the same goal twice — ending their 13-game winning run, and reopening the Premier Division title race to Tottenham Hotspur et al. Continue reading
High-pressing, right-wing overloads, and quick balls in behind the Arsenal defence put Eddie Howe’s side firmly in the driving side, but a second-half retreat played into Olivier Giroud’s hands, costing Bournemouth all three points in dramatic fashion. Continue reading
Marcus Rashford’s second-half introduction broke the resistance of ten-man West Ham United by adding a different dimension to a typically congested Manchester United attack. Continue reading
Manchester United’s continued progress on the road to attacking fluidity unlocked Sunderland’s staunch but sputtering parked bus, ensuring a fourth consecutive league victory. Continue reading
Pep Guardiola’s insistence upon fielding players out of position within a bewildering array of tactical systems that they scarcely understand led to a facile evisceration by Claudio Ranieri’s under-fire champions. Continue reading
Out-pressed and overrun by Manchester City’s midfield throughout, Chelsea weathered a storm of spurned chances to secure a ruthlessly efficient eighth consecutive league victory. Continue reading
Pinned back initially by Tottenham’s high press, Chelsea’s wing-backs took full advantage of some poor defensive transitions in wide areas to convert a woeful opening 44 minutes into a seventh consecutive league win. Continue reading
Although Olivier Giroud’s late header earned his Arsenal side a scarcely-merited point, Arsene Wenger’s undue preoccupation with possession – at the expense of penetration – resulted in the Frenchman’s 12th consecutive failure to inflict defeat on José Mourinho. Continue reading
Ronald Koeman’s disastrous decision to field a three-man defence for the first time since August 20 helped Chelsea to inflict upon Everton one of the most one-sided thrashings of the 2016/17 Premier League season. Continue reading
Tactics Truck v2.0 