Can other teams copy José Mourinho’s template for nullifying Chelsea? | Michael Cox


Manchester United’s man-marking tactics shut out the Premier League leaders and Antonio Conte may find others trying the same approach

José 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

Related: Antonio Conte says Spurs are now ‘the best team’ in the Premier League

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