Premier League 2018/19: Chelsea vs Manchester City

Manchester City fell to their first defeat of the Premier League season on Saturday evening. The blues from Manchester were beaten 2-0 by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. In our tactical analysis today, we will look in depth at this Premier League encounter from a Manchester City perspective. We will highlight where the game was won and loss and in particular focus on the stark differences between the first half and the second half.

First half

Both sides set-up without a recognised striker on the field. Chelsea started with Eden Hazard through the centre of the pitch, whereas Manchester City operated with Raheem Sterling through the middle, however part way through the first half Riyad Mahrez was moved into the middle.

Up until Kantés goal for Chelsea, Manchester City were dominant. Their pressing was working incredibly well and City were stifling any build-up play that Chelsea were trying to develop. Without the ball, Chelsea were set-up in a deep/medium block 4-5-1 but at times, Kanté or Kovačić would push up alongside Hazard in order to press Citys centre-halves. When this happened, City were able to move the ball quicker and bypass this pressing movement and get the ball into more dangerous positions and often isolating Jorginho with David Silva and Bernardo Silva operating around him.

Manchester City were able to generate a few chances and probably should have taken the lead in the first half.

As Manchester City did many times in the first half, they managed to effectively press Chelsea and win the ball back in a dangerous area. Fernandinho tackles Jorginho and suddenly, Manchester City are in on Chelseas back four. With potential runners in behind.