This week’s Premier League round of fixtures ended with a huge clash between Chelsea and Manchester United. When these two teams played against each other in the first game of the season, Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s team stormed to score four goals and win easily. With more than half the season having gone by, both teams have had their ups and downs, and Frank Lampard’s team were looking for revenge at Stamford Bridge.
Again, VAR became a controversial talking point, as the goals of Kurt Zouma and Olivier Giroud were ruled out. Eventually, United secured a two-goal victory in this important game, thanks to goals from Anthony Martial and Harry Maguire.
This was a tight match where the pressing strategies of both teams were the most important elements of the game. In this tactical analysis, we will show you how United beat Chelsea. It is an analysis that focuses on tactics.
Lineups
Lampard’s team played in a 4-3-3 formation. Callum Hudson-Odoi and Tammy Abraham were unavailable, so the front three was formed by Pedro Rodríguez, Willian and Michy Batshuayi. Andreas Christensen started ahead of Zouma and Fikayo Tomori, partnering Antonio Rüdiger at the centre of the defence. In goal, Kepa Arrizabalaga was left on the bench and Willy Caballero started.
Solskjær used an intriguing 3-4-1-2 formation. Their new signing, Bruno Fernandes has increased the flexibility of the manager to tune his tactics. He was behind Daniel James and Martial. The back three of United was formed by Luke Shaw, Harry Maguire and Eric Bailly; Brandon Williams was playing as a left wing-back.
Chelsea: pressing and spacing
This was a game full of pressing. Lampard adjusted his pressing strategies so as to avoid the shortcomings seen in the first league game. At Old Trafford, United utilized the spaces between Chelseas lines and generated many chances behind the exposed defenders. Lampard tried to increase the compactness of the lines by adjusting the midfielders’ positions.
Mateo Kovačić had to choose his positions smartly in this game. He could have two options when defending.
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