Manchester City 2-1 Chelsea: 5 Talking Points & Tactical Analysis | Premier League 2019-20

Manchester City got the better of Chelsea in an entertaining encounter at the Etihad on the 23rd of November. The win allowed the hosts to leapfrog the Blues into 3rd position.

The visitors began the game encouragingly and were willing to take the game to City. In the 21st minute, the West Londoners’ endeavours were rewarded when they scythed through the Sky Blues’ rear-guard. Mateo Kovacic expertly picked out N’Golo Kante who finished past Ederson.

A few minutes later though, City equalised through Kevin De Bruyne after the Belgian’s goal-bound shot took a massive deflection off Kurt Zouma. And, they surged ahead 8 minutes before half-time when Riyad Mahrez cut inside and arrowed the ball into the back of the net.

The game slowed down after the restart and both sides weren’t able to create the sheer number of chances they did in the first half. City and Chelsea failed to add to the score-line as the former held on for a vital victory.

Here is a look at the talking points from the game.

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5. Chelsea and Manchester City produce an exhilarating first half

Manchester City and Chelsea produced an entertaining first half

Chelsea arrived at the Etihad with the memory of the 6-0 mauling still fresh in their minds whereas Manchester City were looking for some redemption following their defeat to Liverpool before the international break. Thus, one would’ve expected a slightly cagey opening wherein the Sky Blues would’ve tried to establish their footing while Chelsea looked to grow into the game.

However, neither side paid any heed to the aforementioned notions as they matched each other punch for punch in an enthralling opening period. The Blues started the contest more positively and immediately imposed their game-plan in Manchester.

The visitors were content to allow the Cityzens possession in their own half before hustling and harrying them as soon as they ventured into midfield. The ploy meant that the hosts were forced to play risky balls through the middle third, a tactic that led the Sky Blues to concede possession.

The high-intensity style by the away side bore fruit in the 21st minute when Kante finished off a sumptuous through ball by Kovacic.

However, once the goal went in, the Blues retreated into their shell just a shade, thereby allowing City to counter-press them high in Chelsea’s half and prize out mistakes.

One such error occurred in the 29th minute when Jorginho gave the ball away in midfield and De Bruyne capitalised to level things up. The Sky Blues continued applying pressure and nudged ahead when Mahrez danced past a couple of challenges before curling the ball into the far corner.

The incessant pressing after the first quarter of the game meant that Chelsea weren’t accorded the time and space they enjoyed earlier. In the process, their gambit of pinching the ball in midfield and releasing their runners into space was curbed, something that enabled the hosts to stamp their authority on the game.

Over the course of the season, not many teams have been able to entertain the audiences as much as City and Chelsea. And, on Saturday, both sides proved that they weren’t afraid of sticking to their guns, even when faced with the most adverse of circumstances.

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4. Sergio Aguero and Tammy Abraham fire blanks

Aguero went off injured

Sergio Aguero and Tammy Abraham have been one of the best marksmen in the Premier League this term. Subsequently, several expected them to leave a substantial imprint at the Etihad when City and Chelsea clashed swords. However, rather surprisingly, the pair fired blanks, meaning that they couldn’t reduce the deficit on Jamie Vardy at the perch of the Golden Boot charts.

Abraham was on the periphery for the majority of the contest and he cut an isolated figure as the Blues’ focal point. The Englishman was never allowed a chance to run in behind and whenever he made the requisite movement, the Chelsea midfielders chose to ignore him.

And, even though there were a few neat and tidy touches in and around the penalty box, they weren’t enough to really cause a furrowed brow among the Sky Blues.

As for Aguero, the Argentine perhaps missed the most gilt-edged opportunity of the game when he rattled the crossbar after being set up by Kepa Arrizabalaga. Apart from that fluffed chance, the striker’s touch deserted him on occasions and he wasn’t able to turn his marker as often.

More worryingly for the Cityzens though, their record goal-scorer hobbled off the pitch with a suspected groin injury.

Over course of the season so far, Abraham and Aguero have found it harder to not score, a fact emphasised by their outstanding goal tally. However, when they came up against each other, neither managed to make the net ripple.

3. Manchester City just edge the midfield battle

Manchester City just got the better of Chelsea in midfield

Manchester City began the encounter with their first-choice midfield triumvirate of Kevin De Bruyne, David Silva and Rodri whereas Chelsea dropped Mason Mount in favour of Kovacic, meaning that the Croatian partnered Jorginho and Kante.

Consequently, the Blues’ pragmatic approach allowed them to physically assert themselves in the middle of the park early as they ran tirelessly, cut out spaces and recycled possession effectively. However, as the game wore on, they lost grip of midfield, a circumstance that coincided with City equalising and then going ahead.

While the Cityzens were outrun in a frenetic first half, they just edged ahead of the Blues in the second period by adopting a slightly slower tempo and unfurling a deeper line, meaning that Chelsea were accorded more of the ball.

Yet, that also enabled the Sky Blues to control the game much more as the visitors’ midfielders weren’t allowed the luxury of finding spaces in between the lines.

Moreover, there weren’t any penetrative passes through the middle, thereby prompting the Blues to explore wider avenues, which eventually played into City’s hands.

For a majority of the game, Silva and Rodri looked a touch off the pace. However, Guardiola’s substitutions meant that the middle third always remained fresh and capable of matching Chelsea’s dynamism.

And, while that might not happen too often under the Spaniard’s watch at the Etihad, it probably was enough to guarantee three points on Saturday.

2. Plenty of positives for Chelsea but their Manchester blues continue

There were plenty of positives for Chelsea

Back in February, Chelsea succumbed to a 6-0 defeat at the hands of Manchester City at the Etihad. And, a few months later, they were consigned to a 4-0 loss at Old Trafford on the opening day of the 2019-20 season.

Thus, the Blues represented a side who hadn’t particularly enjoyed their time under the Manchester sun (or rain) in 2019. However, they showcased plenty of courage and bravery to not abandon their philosophy on Saturday.

The first half saw the visitors control the encounter for large swathes, although they went into the break staring at a one-goal deficit. Apart from that arrears, their midfield looked well-oiled while their offensive movements caused the City rear-guard problems.

And, though there were a few shaky moments defensively, they still looked a team capable of ruffling the Sky Blues’ feathers.

Yet, after the restart, they failed to generate the requisite head of steam, despite enjoying the lion’s share of the ball at the Etihad. They weren’t able to muster a single shot on target in the entirety of the second period, meaning that the deflection off Ederson’s goal-kick was the closest they came.

Before the campaign began, several opined that the 2019-20 season represented one of transition where Frank Lampard would find it tough to challenge for the top four. However, they’ve silenced those doubters rather emphatically with a string of impressive displays.

But, if the Blues are to breach the next barrier and realistically challenge the likes of City and Liverpool, they need to start getting results, even when aren’t playing well.

After all, for everything they’ve achieved this season, they’ve not managed a victory against the likes of Leicester City, Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United.

1. City's graft trumps grace in tense encounter

Guardiola's tactical tweaks worked a charm

In the 2018-19 season, City beat Liverpool to the punch in the greatest title race in Premier League history. The triumph also meant that the Cityzens notched their 2nd consecutive league success, something that hadn’t been achieved since the turn of the decade.

And, inevitably, their performances have dropped just a tad, meaning that Liverpool have stolen a march on them in the nascent stages of the current season. Moreover, the Sky Blues lost to the Reds at Anfield a fortnight ago, a result that left them 9 points adrift off Jurgen Klopp’s men.

Thus, the onus was firmly on City to post a victory against Chelsea and keep themselves in the title picture. And, even though they didn’t particularly set the world ablaze, they did just enough to ensure three points.

The hosts uncharacteristically ceded possession to the Blues as they opted for a slightly cautious approach. However, the visitors didn’t portray enough conviction in the attacking third to carve open the Sky Blues’ defence.

More promisingly though, Pep Guardiola found a tactical answer to a tough question posed by Lampard. A couple of weeks ago, Liverpool had thrown a similar query at the Cityzens and they failed to come up with a solution. Yet, at the Etihad, they were willing to forego a bit of their attacking freedom to get the desired result.

In football, one often says that champions know how to get the job done, even when they aren’t playing well. And, though they face a herculean task trying to retain their crown, they certainly highlighted the qualities that have enabled them to post successive title wins.