Tactical Analysis: Manchester City vs. Chelsea

After the recent signing of Timo Werner, Chelsea came out of the three-month COVID-19 break looking to rubber stamp their credentials as a rising power in the Premier League. Having come from behind at Villa Park to win on Sunday, Chelsea once again came out 2-1 victors in their game versus Manchester City, officially handing the Premier League title to Liverpool for the first time in their history.

The game itself can be broken down into a few key aspects that help to explain why momentum frequently shifted between the two teams. Formations, positioning in possession, individual actions, and tactical instructions all contributed to varying degrees throughout the game.

Formations and Positioning

With Sergio Agüero missing out due to injury, Pep Guardiola went with what seemed like a 4-2-3-1 on paper, only with Bernardo Silva playing as a false nine rather than an out-and-out striker. In the first phase of possession, City established overloads over Chelsea’s front three by utilising Ederson's excellent passing.