N'Golo Kante and David Luiz goals at Stamford Bridge on Saturday saw Pep Guardiola's side lose for the first time this season
When Maurizio Sarri saw his Chelsea side conceded for the first time in his reign in chaotic fashion during the 3-2 victory over Arsenal on the opening day of the season he set a target of two months for his defenders to adapt to his new defensive tactics.
October came and went with the Blues still getting used to the off-the-ball side of Sarri-ball while Sarri described the defeat at Tottenham Hotspur and the defensive phase of his side's pressing in November as a 'disaster'.
Retraining professional footballers to defend by looking at the ball and not the man, something that is nearly always taught the other way round, was never going to be easy for the Italian, not least in a division like the Premier League where a single mistake can cost you.
For all the brilliant dominance that his Chelsea side have had for a lot of the season before that defeat at Spurs, instilling defensive tactics and discipline is always harder than allowing naturally gifted forwards to flourish in possession of the football and it was showing in recent weeks until Manchester City visited Stamford Bridge.
Pep Guardiola came to west London unbeaten in the league, enjoyed 61 per cent possession and 14 shots, and left with nothing but a defeat where his team of attacking threats and talents were shut out by a workhorse Chelsea team.
Sarri said after the game that he didn't plan for his side to have so little of the ball or to defend deeper in their own half seeing as it is usual for Chelsea to want possession, but that they were forced into it such was City's ability.
"We had Eden for the first time in that position and I think in the first 20, 25 minutes we didn't work very well in the defensive movement in the opponents half," he said.
"Fortunately we defended very well in our half. Then we started to press a little bit better and after the first goal the match changed.
"Yes, of course [it wasn't our intention] because we were in trouble to put pressure to their defenders in the opponents' half so we had to defend in our half.
"It wasn't a choice. We know very well of course the ball possession is usual for us.
"Today it was a problem and so we knew very well that maybe there were more spaces for counter attacks but it wasn't a total choice to wait in our own half."
It may have been forced on Sarri's team more than they wanted it to be, but the defensive side of Chelsea's game on Saturday wasn't anything new for their manager who set his Napoli side up the exact same when they were without the ball during his three years at the San Paolo.
Sarri played a 4-3-3 with Eden Hazard in the false nine position against City, with the front three of the Belgian, Pedro and Willian tasked with pressing the defence high up the pitch but such is the ability of John Stones and Aymeric Laporte on the ball that they were able to play out of that initial press which forced Chelsea to defend deeper.
As such, the back four were deeper than they usually would be while the wider players came inside more, changing the formation into a 4-5-1 at times allowing Chelsea to press City more in the middle, effectively ensuring David Silva had an extremely quiet evening.
It was a performance that was extremely similar to Napoli under Sarri who, if their initial high press failed, would reorganise into 4-4-2 to allow them to harass the forwards while ensuring Jorginho was there in case the opposition tried to by-pass the press.
But in Italy, there is no team that is able to do what Manchester City are when in possession of the football, which meant that Chelsea had to defend deeper to ensure they weren't caught out in between the lines like they were during the first 20 minutes of the game.
It worked a treat - the Blues were the better side in the second half and City just couldn't find a way through a solid defence, one where Antonio Rudiger and David Luiz seem to be flourishing under Sarri's style and training.
Sarri admitted there was an element of luck to it, but that will always be the case when shutting out a side like Guardiola's.
It would be naive to think this was a tactical one-off or a game where Chelsea caught City having one of those rare off days and took advantage of it - this was nothing new to Sarri who has seen this work time and time again during his time in his native Italy.
Sarri has spoken time and time again about how he wants his side to improve defensively and this seemed to be a turning point for his players who followed his instructions perfectly for a lot of the game.
Jorginho was disciplined in the deep lying pivot role and cut out the space in between midfield and defence which allowed N'Golo Kante to have one of his best displays under Sarri to date, where he harassed and caused problems through the middle in every third, even getting the first goal as Chelsea hit Manchester City on the counter.
Hazard struggled initially in the false nine role but played extremely well in the second half, winning the ball in good areas for his side to build counters, while Pedro and Willian put in workhorse-like performances.
Mateo Kovacic was superb in his midfield role too and showed why Sarri trusts him to that important midfield job.
We can expect to see more of this too from Chelsea - Sarri said after the victory that his side will 'of course' play in this system in the future and it's not surprise to see why.
We've seen the dominating, counter-attacking offensive side of Sarri-ball this season, now after the City victory we've seen the defensive side of it too, and if Chelsea can really get to grips with it who knows what they could do under Sarri.
But the boss is under no illusions that this win and performance will mean nothing if they don't build on it.
It's easy for players to put in a shift against the likes of City but it's the games against the other teams in this division, like the trip to Brighton on Sunday, that will show how far Chelsea have come under Sarri.
He knows as much - the victory over City was brilliant but they must continue to progress as a unit under the Italian in order for it to mean anything.
Stellen_Henriques
1
the first season of pep at city..Pep won at their home and they came to Etihad and kick pep ass out of Ucl
Monaco is also a strong team but this year they are doing blunder
Fadceopsy
0
Where are all those people criticizing Sarri now?
BobRoyler
1
when with Monaco ?
the first season of pep at city..Pep won at their home and they came to Etihad and kick pep ass out of Ucl
Stellen_Henriques
0
first season... Monaco knocked city out
which season, I don't remember anyway Monaco is same as City, they both lead their League match for some seasons and then relegated and once again back and cycle continuous
yombdlors
0
lov3 you
woaelnt
0
Bravo Chelsea but there us the need to build on this very important achievement. The players are to work hard and develop in all aspect of the Sarriball system. The Sunday game will determine how improved the players have become. Whether their win over Man city was a one day wonder. Good luck to the coach and the team.
Kunceilot
1
well done sarri
Fieabilry
0
actually city have no luck but chelsea do.. no team will win forever even barca...
oluwaseunfunmi10
2
I still don't believe
oluwaseunfunmi10
3
I love that match
nucbeiop
2
but to be honest we need good striker than Groud and Morata please
Blackalien
0
when with Monaco ?
first season... Monaco knocked city out
zukbimt
1
It was a good outing for the blues. this time they hit the ground running. Against Tottenham they were so slow and sluggish playing with flat foots. Chelsea first half is always a moment not to reckon with. They don't bring life to it until second half, Tottenham knew better so they took the game to us. Good job against man city wish they can build on it and avoid black out now and then..
dikaeilr
1
we are trusted in him sirri bcs working hard that's wat Chelsea need.
NhanaICloud
2
i love my team chelsea forever in mu heart
Stellen_Henriques
0
and yu couldn't win lyon.I think pep tactics can't win a ligue 1 clubs first it was Monaco now lyon
when with Monaco ?
BobRoyler
1
Chelsea should not be too confident, it was one of those unlucky days for city. Chelsea must focus on games ahead and stop over dwelling on their win against city. Under more favourable circumstances city could have killed off the game in the first half.
and yu couldn't win lyon.I think pep tactics can't win a ligue 1 clubs first it was Monaco now lyon
fihcdekmpz
0
you city could have kill off the game? I think you can only use that statement when you score just a goal and refuse to build on it, live that talk of over dwelling on city's victory as well because it is not Chelsea who wrote this article I know it pains you as a city fan but that is football for you
well said
fihcdekmpz
0
Chelsea should not be too confident, it was one of those unlucky days for city. Chelsea must focus on games ahead and stop over dwelling on their win against city. Under more favourable circumstances city could have killed off the game in the first half.
Then Wat held them bk from killing it
oluyemi86
1
Chelsea player are all great love u
Alakiri
6
continue to win.
Wutcdkoprt
1
BIG side CHELSEA talk while want to talk City get beaten up no talk of BAD day n look forward to seeing CHELSEA given the same fight to ever other side in the league IT'S A MUST CHELSEA AGO WIN CUPS THIS YEAR
Luhabimrz
0
Chelsea should not be too confident, it was one of those unlucky days for city. Chelsea must focus on games ahead and stop over dwelling on their win against city. Under more favourable circumstances city could have killed off the game in the first half.
What is favourable condition to you? Both teams played with the players available. Nothing is guaranteed when the word IF is used, that’s mere speculation.
midestivah
0
You’re still angry 🤣🤣🤣😂😂
I think so
midestivah
0
Are you still angry
of cause he is
midestivah
1
Chelsea should not be too confident, it was one of those unlucky days for city. Chelsea must focus on games ahead and stop over dwelling on their win against city. Under more favourable circumstances city could have killed off the game in the first half.
you city could have kill off the game? I think you can only use that statement when you score just a goal and refuse to build on it, live that talk of over dwelling on city's victory as well because it is not Chelsea who wrote this article I know it pains you as a city fan but that is football for you
liverpoli
0
Chelsea should not be too confident, it was one of those unlucky days for city. Chelsea must focus on games ahead and stop over dwelling on their win against city. Under more favourable circumstances city could have killed off the game in the first half.
Are you still angry
Abbawaziri
3
A great manager maurizio sarri and i see a lot of success coming to chelsea with sarri ball anything is possible!
Abbawaziri
0
Chelsea should not be too confident, it was one of those unlucky days for city. Chelsea must focus on games ahead and stop over dwelling on their win against city. Under more favourable circumstances city could have killed off the game in the first half.
We are saying d fact bro sarri outclassed pep just admit it!
Itzfreeboy
0
Chelsea should not be too confident, it was one of those unlucky days for city. Chelsea must focus on games ahead and stop over dwelling on their win against city. Under more favourable circumstances city could have killed off the game in the first half.
You’re still angry 🤣🤣🤣😂😂
cumckmpy
0
Chelsea should not be too confident, it was one of those unlucky days for city. Chelsea must focus on games ahead and stop over dwelling on their win against city. Under more favourable circumstances city could have killed off the game in the first half.
my friend you may frustrated loose table points
taaeimtz
0
I pray that they beat the game on thursday.
taaeimtz
3
even me. i was thinking that man city was going to beat us. but with God we beat them. thanks be to God Almighty. thanks to my Chelsea and the great player.
kueabdnru
1
Chelsea should not be too confident, it was one of those unlucky days for city. Chelsea must focus on games ahead and stop over dwelling on their win against city. Under more favourable circumstances city could have killed off the game in the first half.