Manchester City: Limp Chelsea brushed aside

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MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – MARCH 04: Antonio Rudiger of Chelsea and Sergio Aguero of Manchester City battle for the ball during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Chelsea at Etihad Stadium on March 4, 2018 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) /

Working So Hard To Make It Look Easy:

Pundits are being a little unfair to Chelsea I think in their analysis of the Chelsea performance. The only mistake made was that Conte didn’t start with a regular attacking threat. At home, Manchester City were always going to enjoy the majority of possession.

The problem with Chelsea was, when they did get the ball, they had no outlet. No Giroud or Morata on the halfway line and able to hold up play. As a result the ball just kept coming back, and the visitors defenders couldn’t catch their breath.

It would be wrong to suggest it was all down to Chelsea selection though. Manchester City worked just as hard off the ball as they did on it, closing down quickly. Chelsea were not allowed time on the ball, and that was down to a high energy, pressing game.

From Aguero, and all the way back to Ederson, the blues game is one which requires high levels of fitness, 100% concentration and 100% trust in the other ten players on your side. Hunting and harassing from front to back gives the opposition no time on the ball, and that breeds mistakes.