although i still think city is going to end the year on top. in an incredibly close race.
but this was a tactical masterpiece. never seen a three-screen before but it transformed the relative numbers of defenders and attackers and allowed the quick transitions that chelsea thrive on. kings of the counter-attack.
mourinho doesn't remind me of other football managers. he makes me think of napoleon.
everyone (except arsenal) will copy this tactic against city now. but this also will mean city will learn how to play against it.
so why not chelsea?
because west ham.
of the two oilers, chelsea struggles against defensive-minded teams. whereas city destroys them.
meanwhile, arsenal wears them down with relentless beauty, until there's space for a midfielder to tiptoe in unseen. it's a process which almost always seems to end with the same score - 2-0, or if walcott, 3-1.
mourinho may well edge the league of eight.
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