Another Premier League weekend has been and gone, with Liverpool moving ever closer to a first English title in 30 years.
Jurgen Klopp's side are now 22 points clear after their win over Southampton and Manchester City's defeat at Tottenham.
It ended up being a very good weekend for Spurs, with top-four rivals Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal all dropping points.
But what were the main tactical lessons?
Before Oleksandr Zinchenko’s red card, Manchester City were dominant and should have been comfortably ahead, despite an improved defensive shape for Spurs in a diligent mid-block.
The key players were Sergio Aguero – who by dropping off the front line pulled the hosts out of position and created small openings – and Riyad Mahrez, who was dominant on the right wing partly because Tottenham left winger Steven Bergwijn drifted infield too often.
Failing to capitalise on their possession and chance creation, the red card for Zinchenko then changed the game largely because City could not adapt to playing with 10 men. Pep Guardiola’s tactics are complex and they could not cope with the loss.
Their lopsided shape - a 4-3-3 but without the left winger - left them hesitant, unsure where to pass or how to break down the galvanised Spurs defence.
Tottenham were assisted by Guardiola’s decision to withdraw Aguero and put Raheem Sterling up front, which meant City lost their fulcrum and the one man able to pull Harry Winks and Giovani Lo Celso out of position.
The two Tottenham midfielders were outstanding throughout, assisted for the final 20 minutes by an assured cameo from Tanguy Ndombele. Spurs rode their luck, but Mourinho got the big in-game calls right and Guardiola did not.
Leicester City were the better side against Chelsea on Saturday and should have won the match; Harvey Barnes missed a simple chance in the 80th minute that would have justly rewarded Brendan Rodgers for a key tactical switch made at half-time.
In the first 45, Leicester’s midfield was flat and static, leading to periods of aimless possession at the back and, more importantly, meaning Chelsea could win the territorial battle and work the ball out to Callum Hudson-Odoi and Reece James.
These two combined expertly, overloading Ben Chilwell with Barnes failing to adequately track the Chelsea right-back.
In the second half Youri Tielemans wandered considerably higher up the pitch while James Maddison came short to receive the ball from his centre-backs, essentially shifting Leicester from a flat 4-3-3 to a 4-2-3-1 with – in an unusual move - Maddison deeper than Tielemans.
Now Leicester could pierce through the middle, their three central midfielders creating a zig-zag passing line that forced Chelsea back and shifted momentum. It indirectly stopped Hudson-Odoi and James from attacking down the right, and directly led to the equalising goal.
As the game wore on the tactical shift became increasingly prominent, shining a light on Chelsea’s problem playing Jorginho alone at the base of midfield. He was drastically overworked, while the visitors were lucky to escape with a point.
Manchester United's clash with Wolves had 0-0 written all over it from the first minute. Both teams are better when allowed to counterattack and both managers knew it, which is why neither side committed enough men forward.
United’s full-backs largely stayed deep and Wolves’ wing-backs rarely ventured forward, leaving Adama Traore too isolated on the right. But this was more about team shape than numbers in the box.
There were no lurching moves forward, no runs out of the base midfield positions. A draw suited both, and they were not prepared to risk getting more. However, it might not have taken much for United to edge it.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s forwards were surprisingly narrow throughout, with Daniel James drifting into crowded central midfield positions to join Juan Mata and Bruno Fernandes.
There was a lot of space on the flanks, it was just United did not work to use it. Solskjaer then doubled down on a narrow approach by switching to a diamond 4-4-2 in the closing stages with Mason Greenwood up front alongside Anthony Martial.
Not for the first time this season, Solskjaer’s attacking lines were bizarrely ill-suited to the opposition shape.
When David Moyes was appointed West Ham manager, many fans were understandably concerned it was a negative move, and that hiring a ‘fire-fighter’ would set the tone for a relegation battle.
That view appears to be correct given how they crumbled after Moyes switched from a back four to a back five despite their two-goal lead against Brighton. At no point did West Ham’s lead look safe.
Arthur Masuaku came on for Michail Antonio and immediately sat deeper as Aaron Cresswell tucked inside, creating a flat five that – judging by the subsequent defensive errors – increased the tension.
Sometimes a relegation dogfight requires bravery, a risk-taking approach that tells the players they are good enough to play at this level. Masuaku’s hospital pass led to the confusion between Issa Diop and Angelo Ogbonna for Pascal Gross’ goal, and then Masuaku was out of position before a comedy of errors allowed Glenn Murray to equalise.
Some pundits will say you cannot legislate for such dreadful mistakes, and certainly that Moyes cannot be blamed. But his tactical switch led to the hesitancy and lack of self-belief that oozed from the West Ham defenders in those final minutes.
As this column has highlighted previously, Aston Villa’s two-man midfield in a 3-4-3 has been vulnerable, and on Saturday, Bournemouth became the first team to specifically target this weakness.
Eddie Howe switched from his usual 4-4-2 to a flat 4-5-1 gave his side a numerical advantage in the middle, allowing the Cherries to outmanoeuvre the visitors.
Philip Billing had an excellent game at both ends, popping up in spaces either side of Douglas Luiz to move the ball in the attacking transitions.
Both Bournemouth goals were from set-pieces, but both were won via quick counters that made use of the extra body in midfield.
Unsurprisingly the balance shifted markedly after Jefferson Lerma’s red card, and yet the hosts (perhaps fortunately) managed to hold on. Howe deserves a lot of credit for his initial selection.
Backpackerinspace
0
you are a big fool.When pep plays 11 against 10 for Jose you don't talk . check jose's time at real he's never completed against pep at barca with 11 players
🖕😜
rendondo
0
Jose was lucky for having that opportunity just been served from Pepe's 10 men's, while when they were 11: 11 tied M. City was squeezing higher however they could have scored at least two goals before Spurs got that lucky by playing 10 men's... still they couldn't get control over M. City's. And that's the truth behind Mourinho success.
you are a big fool.When pep plays 11 against 10 for Jose you don't talk . check jose's time at real he's never completed against pep at barca with 11 players
Backpackerinspace
0
empty head
Thank you Mr. empty stomach
DeependraGehlot
1
Because his strategies were'Bald'not'Bold'🤣🤣
Yiwempsu
0
Guardiola didn't get it wrong against Spurs, it's just one of their bad hair day, they had many chances to score but just couldn't, and Mourinho had their keeper and luck to thank for their win against Man city.
I think the keeper is part of the team ? who don't know that luck also played part of the game ? accept the defeat and stop writing what everyone knows please.
lawal52
0
guardiola is a lousy looser
SanwinJenil
1
guardiolas big mistake was he lost the game vs tottenham. and mourihnos brilliance was he won against manchester city. 😁👍💯
Vowcilt
0
right mourinho ??? I don't think so...somebody from city needed to send off to Tottenham start to play plus the penalty loose
Siyailp
1
Man City paid for the tactical fowls which they use unfairly to stop opponents on counter attack !
elgalactico
3
Mourinho didn't even need a striker to beat Pep's City🤷♂️ Just Mourinho things 😎😂
Backpackerinspace
0
empty head
fooling around jerk
gugddg
2
peps tackics were working well but not coverting chances is a huge problems right now
rendondo
0
Jose was lucky for having that opportunity just been served from Pepe's 10 men's, while when they were 11: 11 tied M. City was squeezing higher however they could have scored at least two goals before Spurs got that lucky by playing 10 men's... still they couldn't get control over M. City's. And that's the truth behind Mourinho success.
empty head
rendondo
0
Pep can only do well when his players are efficient to play for themselves without or with a coach .Once he needs to support or use coaching techniques just know he's zero
mudacdnrsz
0
You have to be fair, ManC were reduced to 10 players for that match
Backpackerinspace
0
Jose was lucky for having that opportunity just been served from Pepe's 10 men's, while when they were 11: 11 tied M. City was squeezing higher however they could have scored at least two goals before Spurs got that lucky by playing 10 men's... still they couldn't get control over M. City's. And that's the truth behind Mourinho success.
Pana73
0
Mourinho used tactics while Guadiola used VAR and Referee
Neymar2203
1
To be honest,Pep is a stubborn guy sinking down his Tiki-Taka.If you cannot turn the chances you've created into goals, everything would be useless in the end.
He was not successful in Bayern Munich,so what achievement will he make in Man City?Will he win UCL with Man City?Let's see what will happen in the future…
ABenC
0
Guardiola didn't get it wrong against Spurs, it's just one of their bad hair day, they had many chances to score but just couldn't, and Mourinho had their keeper and luck to thank for their win against Man city.
Divinepress
1
it's not a joke or easiest opportunity to play with Jose with 11 players , then it becomes a nightmare when reduced to 10 . playing a big games is one of his trademark , he cannot afford to lost mancity when he has lost to mu and Liverpool . just talk to his players they'll told that kind of tactical lessons they learn before the game.
rezruz
3
City just very unlucky not to score Mourinho 2.0 is the same bus, but with a bit more Jose smile (2 goals from 3 shots is not tactics but huge luck)
Jjvector
5
Mourinho can accelerate faster than a Ferrari, so thats why he beat Manchester city 😁
BlueBlackSnake
0
pep didn't get it wrong author just saw the result and started to write cuz even if he had saw highlights he would have known
The result of what matters
Finbckmpt
0
PEP BENCH STERLING FOR AT LEAST 6 GAMES!!! C. T. I. D.
supported because Sterling it's not helping matter at all
CityMan
2
How can you say he got it wrong when you lawyers had countless chances to score and dominated the game until red card? Lol also everybody knows our defense sucks without laporte and then red card to a defender? What do you expect to happen?
bibdlmot
1
PEP BENCH STERLING FOR AT LEAST 6 GAMES!!! C. T. I. D.
Lopbdpy
0
Pep jus leave please, thanks for getting debruyne to city, your job is over now
Lopbdpy
0
Pep Should Leave NOW!!!
Zedeirsuy
1
pep just did what he could
yzi
0
pep didn't get it wrong coz he finally get his ryt man to take the penalty shoot gundugan and no more kun
HERMANNO19
0
I love the long posts.
Good for you then
Bibek-Koirala
1
pep didn't get it wrong author just saw the result and started to write cuz even if he had saw highlights he would have known
Bibek-Koirala
0
I 100 percent agree with you. Spurs sat back and frustrated City and with every miss or save you could see it frustrated them more. Lucky for Spurs when the chances came City still had the attacking mindset and didnt commit everything into defence.
how come spurs have such good fans
Jarredb
0
I am not sure if all the Afers read this super long post. I started but didn't finish 😁😄
I love the long posts.
Jarredb
0
Pep didn't get it wrong. City hit the post, Missed a penalty, Aguero missed a shitter, Gundogan hit over the bar when GK was behind him, Lloris made some beautiful saves. Whereas City conceded on the First shot on target.
I 100 percent agree with you. Spurs sat back and frustrated City and with every miss or save you could see it frustrated them more. Lucky for Spurs when the chances came City still had the attacking mindset and didnt commit everything into defence.
ishti
4
Pep didn't get it wrong. City hit the post, Missed a penalty, Aguero missed a shitter, Gundogan hit over the bar when GK was behind him, Lloris made some beautiful saves. Whereas City conceded on the First shot on target.
HERMANNO19
2
I am not sure if all the Afers read this super long post. I started but didn't finish 😁😄
dkw25
0
that's how they played against Liverpool just didn't take there chance I don't blame Jose when your playing a team like city or Liverpool you have to let them destroy themself, only differnts is Liverpool have mature and they always keep it cool
ljik
6
Pep didn’t get it wrong. When the team creates 17 chances and still doesn’t convert it’s not the manager, it’s the players. One of the chances was half a metre in front of goal, another had an open goal. No one forced Zinchenko to get involved in the melee and pick up a first yellow. And he didn’t need to make the tackle that got him the red, we had like two players in front of Ederson who could’ve stopped Winks. Players get the credit they deserve when it goes well but they also need to be held accountable for their mistakes.
FCBvRMA
3
Pep got nothing wrong,🤪🤪 Mou just spied on his tactics like James Bond🤣🤣🤣