Eden Hazard and co have a softer edge than their predecessors but proved against Tottenham that they can stand firm despite losing the likes of John TerryTold all week that this game would define the title race, the moment when the balance of power would swing Tottenham Hotspur’s way, a less durable team than Chelsea might have responded to Dele Alli’s splendid equaliser shortly after half-time by crumbling. On another day, it would have been in the script. Tottenham, brilliant and refreshing, were on top. They were surely going to reach the FA Cup final. Then they were going to win the league.But even when Chelsea were on the ropes, to doubt them in the moments before Eden Hazard’s decisive...
Spurs fans delight in skills of Harry Kane and Dele Alli but have their dreams shattered again by Antonio Conte’s streetwise ChelseaThe script for Tottenham Hotspur at what must be referred to as the new Wembley stadium has taken on a standard feel. They arrive with great expectations and leave with their dreams in tatters.They had defeated Chelsea in the 2008 League Cup final but, before this visit, it was eight appearances and a single win – and that was the largely meaningless one against CSKA Moscow in the final Champions League group phase tie earlier this season. Related: Eden Hazard clinches semi-final thriller for Chelsea against Tottenham Related: Chelsea’s Antonio Conte the tactical werewolf bares teeth and bites Spurs |...
The Chelsea manager gambled but both his starting XI and his substitutions paid off in a display that had his imprint stamped all over itWith 15 minutes gone on a fun, balmy, febrile afternoon at Wembley, Antonio Conte could be seen cavorting on the touchline in his sombre suit like an old-time revivalist preacher working the crowd at the village hall, arms windmilling, fists pumping, shiny shoes pounding the turf.High above his head an aeroplane appeared, trailing a message across the sky. The message was: “Antonio Conte!” Hallelujah! And indeed, praise be. Related: Chelsea 4-2 Tottenham Hotspur: FA Cup semi-final player ratings Related: Eden Hazard clinches semi-final thriller for Chelsea against Tottenham Continue reading...
Mauricio Pochettino enjoyed first success against Chelsea with three central defenders and United’s win will have clarified the Tottenham manager’s thinkingChelsea were poor against Manchester United, very poor. That for the first time in a decade they did not manage a shot on target is damning. And it is true that they have not of late been playing with the relentlessness they did through the final three months of last year. But the idea they were somehow been found out on Sunday seems weirdly exaggerated. The title race may be on again but Chelsea have a lead of four points over Tottenham, whatever psychological pressure Spurs may be able to apply in Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final.In terms of shape, Chelsea...
Manchester United’s man-marking tactics shut out the Premier League leaders and Antonio Conte may find others trying the same approachJosé Mourinho’s Manchester United are not the first side to defeat Antonio Conte’s Chelsea or even the first side to defeat Conte’s Chelsea since their season-changing switch to 3-4-3 back in October but no other side has nullified Chelsea’s attacking threats so effectively. This was the first time for a decade that Chelsea did not have a shot on target in a Premier League match. Suddenly, with Tottenham only four points behind, the title race is back on and Chelsea’s remaining opponents have a tactical template to follow. Related: Tottenham's Mauricio Pochettino fires early shot at 'artificial' Chelsea | Sachin Nakrani...