Five key stats from Week 19 in the Premier League

Tactical Titbits

With 76 goals between them heading into the fixture, Chelsea’s top-of-the-table clash with Liverpool was always going to be frenetic, exciting and tactically absorbing encounter. Not least because it pitted José Mourinho against former student Brendan Rodgers in a battle of wits. How would Chelsea’s boss set his side up to face an opposition manager with inside knowledge?

Mourinho deployed a high block, constructed and aligned in a 4-2-4 formation when out of possession. Oscar would move alongside Samuel Eto’o in the heart of Liverpool’s defence, closing down the available passing lanes for Martin Škrtel and Mamadou Sakho, while Eden Hazard and Willian harassed the opposition full-backs down the flanks with vigour and relentless pressing. In effect, this quashed one of Brendan Rodgers’ preferred tactical philosophies; playing out from the back.

Seven interceptions were completed by Chelsea inside Swansea’s half (see diagram above) in an attempt to stifle Liverpool’s passing options throughout central midfield and towards the ominous Luis Suárez.

It’s not the first time Mourinho has utilised this tactical strategy, as during Chelsea’s 1-0 victory against Swansea City on 26 December, the Blues completed 10 interceptions (26 in total) from around the half-way line and inside Swansea’s half.

In conclusion, Chelsea’s 4-2-4 high block restricted Liverpool’s natural 3v2 advantage in central midfield, hampered easy passing options from defence, but more importantly, the relentless pressing from their energetic attacking quartet limited the number of times Suárez received the ball to feet, which in turn stopped the prolific Uruguayan from roaming into space and running at the ageing John Terry.