Premier League Tactical Insights: Key Takeaways from the Weekend
Premier League Tactical Insights: Key Takeaways from the Weekend
The Premier League weekend once again provided intriguing tactical discussions. Here, we highlight four significant observations from the matches.
Manchester City’s Vulnerability Exposed Again
Manchester City's defensive shortcomings when out of possession have surfaced as a recurring issue. Last week, we noted how Tottenham exploited City's high press by targeting the flanks. This tactic appears to be more than just a one-off, as Brighton's winning goal in their 2-1 victory on Sunday underscored similar concerns.
For both Tottenham's opening goal and Brighton's second, the ball was shifted to a defender on the wing, with City's forward unable to apply tight pressure. This allowed the wide player to turn and deliver a long, direct pass down the channel.
In both instances, a teammate dropped deeper, pulling City’s full-back with them—Nathan Ake against Spurs and Rico Lewis against Brighton. Consequently, City found themselves with only three defenders in their backline, forcing one of their centre-backs to defend in an uncomfortable position on the flank, increasing the likelihood of losing their duel.
This left opposition players with space to exploit between the three defenders; for example, Brighton had four attackers against City’s back three. Brighton also deliberately vacated central areas, knowing that building play down the flanks would create more dangerous opportunities.
With this pattern emerging in City's last two matches, it will be interesting to see how Pep Guardiola addresses this tactical vulnerability.
Iraola’s Tactical Press Stifles Spurs
Tottenham's impressive start under Thomas Frank came to a halt against Bournemouth. Known for his effective pressing tactics, Cherries manager Andoni Iraola implemented a strategy that successfully neutralized Spurs.
Bournemouth directed Spurs down their left side, deploying what appeared to be an asymmetrical 4-3-1-2 press. This approach served two purposes: first, it ensured Bournemouth had an extra player to defend against the direct balls that Spurs favor. If they matched the hosts' 4-2-4 shape man-to-man as Manchester City did previously, Bournemouth would lack the additional support to recover second balls. Instead, they opted for specific moments to go man-to-man.
Secondly, this tactic funneled the ball towards players less adept at executing Frank's instructions. Brennan Johnson struggled to receive direct passes when Spurs opted for a more direct approach from Micky van de Ven, as his game relies on making off-the-ball runs into the box rather than holding up play. In contrast, Mohammed Kudus's ability to resist pressing while dropping deep on the right aligns perfectly with Frank's tactical plan.
By forcing Spurs down one flank, the clever angled press—supported by players' body positioning, intensity, and intelligent marking swaps—prevented the home side from showcasing their quality. The introduction of more skilled passers under pressure—such as Xavi Simons, James Maddison, and Dejan Kulusevski—may provide Spurs with better options against pressing as the season progresses. If they choose to play direct, improved hold-up play from their wide players will be essential.
Grealish’s Flair Returns
Jack Grealish's loan move to Everton has proven to be an immediate success, with four assists in his first three league matches. One notable moment was his assist for Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall during the victory against Wolves. After advancing the ball centrally, Grealish executed a delicate, chipped pass over a defender’s outstretched leg.
This type of skill is characteristic of Grealish's play, distinguishing him from traditional English midfielders and aligning more with South American styles. As noted by author Jamie Fahey, such a technique is often utilized in small-sided futsal games and can be particularly effective on lower-quality pitches where the ball may not travel smoothly.
In the compact defensive setups typical of the Premier League, players who can successfully execute scooped passes can progress the ball in situations where others might hesitate. Whether positioned wide or centrally, Grealish is once again demonstrating his natural flair and confidence.
Chelsea’s Innovative Corner Strategies
Chelsea has shown strength in set-pieces during the opening three matches of the season, particularly with their corner routines. Analyzing Joao Pedro's goal in the win over Fulham reveals the clever tactics they have employed to challenge opposing goalkeepers.
Pedro maneuvered away from Calvin Bassey, who was defending zonally, creating space. The Brazilian striker not only sought room but also exerted physical pressure on Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno, acting as the 'blocker' that Chelsea has previously used with Delap. This tactic hinders the goalkeeper's movement and opens space for teammates.
However, in this instance, the 'blocker' stepped back into space to head the ball into the net himself. Leno, distracted by the physical challenge, was unable to react in time to the header. Chelsea’s improved corner strategies and the use of specific players to disrupt the opposition goalkeeper are trends to watch in the coming weeks.