Mourinho Master-Class
Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea inflicted a comprehensive defeat on Manchester City at the Etihad last night to end Manuel Pelligrini’s men’s 100% home-record this term breeding a run of 11 straight home wins spawning 42 goals.
The 1-0 reverse ended a run of 61 home league-games where the Citizens had scored, a period which saw an outstanding 168 goals. Considering the rampant form City had been exhibiting to all-comers at home this season, it was hard to foresee a result that featured a clean sheet for Chelsea.
Sections of the media predicted that Mourinho would roll into Manchester and set-up shop, park the proverbial bus. The decorated Portuguese did a lot of talking in the run up to this match, and even declared following the FA Cup fourth-round draw which paired the two-European heavyweights together again, that City were ‘no problem’.
Mourinho’s side did all the talking on the pitch last night. Conversely, Arsene Wenger is a great manager and widely acknowledged as one of the world’s best coaches, yet he doesn’t apply the durability Mourinho showed last night, and that’s the primary reason Arsenal shipped six goals at the Etihad. Wenger only has a plan A, he believes in his philosophies and principles and won’t compromise the right way to play football.
Admirable, but foolish when competing in the face of such vast resources and sheer power that the likes of Chelsea and Man City boast. Mourinho managed to harness all of his team’s best attributes, whilst incorporating them into a water-tight system to counter City’s intrepid play between the lines. To see Hazard and Willian posing the threat they did going forward and the same if not more ferocious drive to get back and defend is inspiring on the eye. I sincerely doubt Ozil, Yaya Toure or Mata could pull it off going both ways, and it’s the Mourinho effect.
There were some outstanding performances of course. John Terry, who I am desperate to see in Brazil this summer, and Gary Cahill were nothing short of rocks. Nemanja Matic certainly announced his arrival back in the Premier League after his sabbatical in Portugal and I would argue he bossed Yaya Toure, which make no mistake about it is some feat. Willian was irrepressible in his enterprising approach yet diligent defensive attention.
Eden Hazard was the cream of the crop though. 11 successful dribbles from 16 attempts last night means the flying Belguim international executed more successful dribbles than the entire Man City outfit. Hazard is red-hot right now and his performances are indelibly etching his name in Premier League the same way a certain Ballon d’Or winner did several years ago.
He retains that same kind of power in possession underpinned by his sensational acceleration. It’s scary how good he can be, and I agree it may be premature to suggest he can go onto Ronaldo/Messi levels, but having only turned 23-years-old last month, his influence is undeniable. I’d argue, along with Suarez, he’s the most exciting player in the Premier League right now.
City made some mistakes too. Playing a flat two in the middle of the park against a top team against Chelsea is almost criminal. You just can’t get away with a 4-4-2 at the highest level anymore, and Chelsea’s dominance in the middle of the park was overwhelming. Mourinho’s deployed David Luiz alongside Matic in front of the back four to scan and protect, but also nullify Yaya Toure. Installing Martin Demichellis alongside Toure was never going to be enough and Fernandinho’s missing legs were certainly felt. I also feel the loss of Sergio Aguero was critical. Edin Dzeko and Alvaro Negredo are top class strikers, but as a partnership are very much in a similar mould. Aguero is almost impossible to keep quiet for an entire game, and his pace and channel running to stretch and get beyond Chelsea’s defenders would have posed more problems to Terry and Cahill than the subsequent aerial duels and crosses they were faced with.
Mourinho really pitched the perfect game plan and Pelligrini effectively played into his hands. The City boss shouldn’t have been so naive and almost arrogant enough to think his City side would continue to just do as they please. Under Mourinho, Chelsea were never going to go there and get embarrassed.
Roy Hodgson should pay close attention to the tactical nuances on display last night. England have the players to deploy that kind of strategy against perceived stronger teams, it doesn’t necessarily have to be backs against the wall stuff for 90 minutes. Granted, we may not have a Hazard calibre outlet, but perhaps having Rooney lead the line, with Gerrard a deep lying playmaker in conjunction with a partner to combat attacking threats could work. Whether Wilshire or Barkley could do that kind of disciplined display would be down to Hodgson. Chuck the Ox in the middle (not just his display for Arsenal Vs Palace, see Brazil away last year) and you have a terrific balance.
It’s all well and good doing that, but you need quality outlets to facilitate them, not just hard-working ones like Danny Welbeck and James Milner. Adam Johnson and Daniel Sturridge would be great shouts either flank if you could get the drive and determination installed in them. Jose Mourinho would install it - that much you can guarantee.
