Liverpool’s victory against Pep Guardiola’s somewhat passive Manchester City was based around a mobile front three that dropped back to help out in midfieldIt was somewhat surprising that Liverpool and Manchester City, two teams renowned for their attacking firepower and defensive shortcomings, produced only three shots on target combined in Liverpool’s 1-0 victory on New Year’s Eve. But that statistic should be considered evidence of Liverpool’s excellent game management – after going ahead in the eighth minute through Georginio Wijnaldum’s bullet header from Adam Lallana’s left-wing cross, they shut down the game impressively.In truth, Pep Guardiola’s side had started better and Wijnaldum’s goal was somewhat against the run of play. But thereafter, Liverpool’s first-half performance was outstanding, a brilliant demonstration...
Ronald Koeman’s side tried to squeeze the life out of Liverpool, yet moving the Brazilian into the centre gave the visitors the edge in a frenetic derbyThis was an old‑fashioned derby with a modern twist: fast, furious, frantic and mainly based around pressing. Ronald Koeman’s Everton tried to match Liverpool’s intensity while playing direct passes into attack, creating a scrappy and disjointed contest.The opening stages set the tone: Ross Barkley made a crunching tackle on Jordan Henderson and it was clear neither side would be able to settle. Idrissa Gueye and James McCarthy pushed up on to Adam Lallana and Georginio Wijnaldum, the Everton centre-backs kept a high line and Liverpool were squeezed into their own half. Their centre-backs were...
If the average is maintained it will be the highest-scoring season in 20-team Premier League history, but as usual there is far from a single, simple explanationManchester City have kept two clean sheets all season. Liverpool have kept three. Both sides may have come out of last weekend lamenting defeats that have allowed Chelsea to open a small gap at the top of the table but it could be argued that with defences like they have it is remarkable they are as high up as they are. But this, perhaps, is the modern way: defending in the old-fashioned sense has become unfashionable.“There is no modern generation,” José Mourinho growled in the summer of 2015 after winning the Premier League with...
Chelsea’s balanced side have momentum from seven league wins in a row as they visit Manchester City, who boast natural width, pace and aggressionIt would, perhaps, be the defining irony of Arsène Wenger’s uneasy relationship with Chelsea if it turns out that when he finally devised a way of beating them it provoked a tactical shift that won the Blues the title. Since Chelsea switched to a back three when 3-0 down at half-time at the Emirates, they have conceded only once, winning seven Premier League games in a row. They passed one major test by coming from behind to beat Tottenham last week but on Saturday represents an even more severe examination as they go to Manchester City. Related:...
José Mourinho should wise up, the pass master may be 35 but knows how to protect a jittery back four while his demeanour calms the entire team – attributes United may need at home against Arsenal on SaturdayHistory can turn on the seemingly least consequential of events. On 12 April 2015 Manchester United were leading Manchester City 4-1 at Old Trafford with three minutes remaining when Michael Carrick rolled an ankle on the touchline and limped off. Sergio Agüero pulled a goal back for City but of far more significance was that Carrick was ruled out for the rest of the season.It was United’s sixth Premier League win in a row, a run in which they had beaten not only City...