Newcastle 0-3 Chelsea: Blues take their chances
The starting line-ups
The scoreline makes it look convincing, but Chelsea had to work extremely hard to get the three points.
Alan Pardew was without the suspended Jonas Gutierrez and the injured Cheick Toite, so Peter Lovenkrands started on the left, and Danny Guthrie in the middle. Fabricio Coloccini only lasted half an hour before being replaced by James Perch.
Andre Villas-Boas continued with Oriel Romeu at the base of midfield, and again Didier Drogba started over Fernando Torres upfront.
The game was an interesting tactical battle that could be separated into various categories, although it was so open and saw so many shots (many hitting the woodwork) that the game could have taken a very different course had various non-tactical features gone slightly differently.
Chelsea defensive line
The obvious place to start is with Chelsea’s high line, without question the most frequently discussed part of Villas-Boas gameplan this year. It didn’t take long before Newcastle very nearly prospered with a simple ball in beyond the defence for Demba Ba – David Luiz fouled him, and might have expected a red card. It was a similar incident – if closer to the goal – to Jose Bosingwa’s red card at Queens Park Rangers.
However, after that initial setback, Chelsea defended much deeper. They didn’t press a great deal later in the game, only won two offsides in the match, and were rarely troubled by pace in behind. It was more like the Chelsea approach under Carlo Ancelotti, of sitting deep and bringing the wide players back level with the two deeper midfielder. In fact, for much of the first half, Frank Lampard was higher up than Juan Mata and Sturridge when Chelsea didn’t have the ball.
Maybe Villas-Boas is slowly changing his mind and telling his side to be more conservative without the ball. It seemed that way here, although it’s debatable whether it was the correct choice against Ba and later Shola Ameobi, who were both physical threats. Luiz was as vulnerable in the air as he was on the ground, being beaten by Ba to a header which hit the post in the first half, and more comfortable late on when Ivanovic played narrower.
Midfield positioning
Newcastle’s use of Hatem Ben Arfa behind Ba meant they were 4-4-1-1 rather than 4-4-2, and there wasn’t an obvious numerical disadvantage in midfield – Ben Arfa dropped onto Romeu.
The problem in midfield was more the way Newcastle’s central midfielders tried to win the ball back. Yohan Cabaye was to the right and was more energetic in closing down – Danny Guthrie was sitting a little deeper. Frank Lampard had no space to work in because he was shut out by Cabaye, and was substituted, much to his disappointment, after an hour
But the positioning midfield created two issues – first, Ramires got time on the ball as no-one looked to close him down. He got space to pick up speed on the ball and breezed past Guthrie after three minutes. Second, it created a perfect pocket of space for Juan Mata, in behind Cabaye and in a position away from Guthrie. Mata was the key player in the first half, orchestrating the game between the lines.
Sturridge
The other issue for Newcastle was Daniel Sturridge, who was always going to be an important player in the game for two reasons. First, he had scored in his two previous appearances. Second, Chelsea attempt a higher proportion of their shots from the right – 25% – than any other side in the league. Third, Newcastle were without Jonas Gutierrez, who does a brilliant job in protecting Ryan Taylor and making Newcastle secure on that side of the pitch.
Sturridge had eight shots in the game, more than any other player, and shouldn’t have needed until his final attempt to score. The balance between Chelsea’s two wide players was perfect – one came into the centre of the pitch to retain the ball and create, the other went in behind the defence to add a goal threat.
Newcastle approach
Newcastle played quite a basic and direct style of football, but it resulted in chances and they were unfortunate not to score. They were probably more threatening early on when Chelsea weren’t sitting so deep – Ba was a force in the air, and with Peter Lovenkrands and Gabriel Obertan stretching the play, plus good support from the full-backs to push Chelsea’s wide players back, a goal following a cross looked likely.
Pardew saw that this approach looked promising, and at half-time he withdrew Ben Arfa and brought on Shola Ameobi for double the physical threat. Newcastle started going longer, with diagonal balls forward from the right of the pitch towards Ba or Ameobi up against Luiz. There’s an argument that they became too predictable and could have done with more invention in central positions to vary the threat – but having hit the woodwork three times, they can consider themselves highly unlucky, and Pardew should be given credit for bravely using his second substitution at half-time having identified where he thought Chelsea were weak.
Defensively, Newcastle simply missed important players. Gutierrez’s value has already been outlined, but Tiote would have patrolled the zone Mata worked in, and Coloccini wouldn’t have been beaten so easily for Didier Drogba’s opener – James Perch isn’t a centre-back, let alone a commanding one.
Newcastle’s success has come mainly from consistency of selection, particularly at the back, and although they have some decent squad players, many are in wide positions. They can’t afford to be without many of their excellent spine – Tim Krul, Coloccini, Cabaye, Tiote and Ba – and that contributed to them losing their record of the best defence in the league.
Conclusion
Credit to both sides and both managers. Villas-Boas’ selection of Romeu was a good move deep in midfield – he protected the defence, nullified Ben Arfa and allowed Ramires to move forward. His passing was solid, only giving the ball away when trying to prompt counter-attacks, and did a passable Lucas Leiva impression with his tackling across a horizontal line.
The use of Mata and Sturridge, unquestionably Villas-Boas’ first choices in a team with many selection issues, also worked well – those two and Ramires combined very nicely throughout.
Newcastle put up a great fight, as they did against the two Manchester clubs – but fell short. They need their unavailable trio to return soon – and a fully fit Ben Arfa to provide another creative link would also be welcome, to become more of an all-round force.
Interesting article. What does: “Second, Chelsea attempt a higher proportion of their shots – 25% – than any other side in the league” mean?
-from the right side…
Yes, I’d also like to know what that means. It can’t mean that they attempt 25% of their shots when they come from the right side, can it?
with the amount of shots sturridge has, the stat might be attributed to him.
As ZM mentioned, this match could have ended up much differently had non-tactical factors favored Newcastle more. They certainly deserved at least a point out of the match, but after last week’s game at Old Trafford they probably had a little bad luck coming to them.
What I found most concerning about the Newcastle display was their inability to defend without key figures like Tiote and Coloccini. If they are to finish in the European places then they’ll have to learn to deal with major absences. Steven Taylor limped off right before the end, so it will be interesting to see how Newcastle fare without him and Coloccini next week.
Great analysis ZM!
Non-sending off aside they were totally battered in the first half and Chelsea should have been out of sight by half time so although they did have 2/3 chances in the 2nd half I struggle to see how they deserved a draw. Could have got one definately but to say deservedly I think thats being kind.
I think they would have deserved a point because Luiz should have been sent off, and against 10 men at home Newcastle definitely could’ve taken something. (Then again, maybe Chelsea would be doing better without Luiz, who knows…)
Ultimately though, the loss of Tiote, Gutierrez, Coloccini was critical – that’s the base of their spine and a good defensive winger who could’ve watched Sturridge. Without those key players Chelsea ran riot and deserved the win.
Excellent result from a Chelsea perspective, very fortunate.
I have one question though:
Why can’t Ivanovic be switched with Luiz? Luiz is such a frightening liability in CB but he loves getting forward, Ivanovic on the other hand is rock solid and quite conservative.
Maybe Luiz isn’t disciplined enough to defend properly at right-back. He’s so attacking when playing at centre-back, imagine what would happen if he were given the license to go foward as much as a right-back! There’d be a gaping hole on his side and the rest of the defence may have to move across to cover him, creating space on the other left flank. AVB probably thinks that it’s easier for the DM to drop into the back-line.
I agree with you on switching between Luiz and Ivanovic.
I think Luiz is at the same stage as Sergio Ramos was a few years ago. With time and coaching, he can be a top defender.
nah they need to switch between Ivanovic and Alex to play alongside Luiz, Terry is struggling to play a high line just like Puyol and Cavarlho. it requires more pace that it does game reading and experience!!
Not to question your judgment, but when have you noted Puyol struggling with a high line?
He’s been one of the best defenders int he world for a decade with a team that always plays a really high line for both club and country.
chelsea also need Luiz’s speed to cover attacks behind the defense, especially next to terry and try to play a high defensive line
The conservative defensive line was more likely a natural reaction to holding a slender lead away from home.
Sturridge needs to work on his decision-making…but he looked very comfortable putting in a Hulk-esque performance today.
Sturridge is shaping out to be something special for Chelsea once he fine tunes other areas of his game (mostly suppressing his own greed for the sake of the team).
Drogba again for me wasn’t convincing and I would like to see Torres start, particularly in away games where teams may not sit as deep as they would at Stamford Bridge, which would then allow Torres the runs in behind on which his game thrives on.
Good to see Romeu picked out by the Calkboards, he is already looking like he should be starting every game ahead of Mikel who hasn’t been anywhere near as assured, apart from the one tackle in Chelsea’s final third which he lost out on, he was solid.
What about Sturridge as the starting center forward? His selfishness and desire to beat a defender and shoot are exactly what’s gone missing from Torres. Wouldn’t putting Sturridge up front bring out the best of him and all of a sudden his selfishness and inability to play a good pass or cross be less problematic?
True, but there are 2 things i would worry about.
1. He would have to change the way he plays and playing central rather than out wide is different. When out wide, he has time and the space to cut in, or run outside the defender, which worked particularly well on R. Taylor today as he isn’t left footed. He would not get the time or space he has on the right in the center to beat his man, plus he would be faced by 2 CB’s. It’s similar to playing Hulk as a ST at Porto, just wouldn’t be the same.
Yes he can use his pace off the last defender, but I think if he cuts inside off diagonal/through balls it gives him more space to operate, and run at players which is when he is most dangerous
2. Who would Chelsea play on the right instead? Malouda? Kalou? He plays it on the right better than anyone else at Chelsea right now, I think getting Torres to hit form, or start playing Lukaku more often are better alternatives than playing Sturridge centrally.
He looks like a real danger though on the flank as he never gives the full back he is facing a clue of whether he is going outside or inside. Also he works good angles into the center when playing off the shoulder when wide anyway.
Chelsea’s front line is looking like it’s got real potential for fluidity with Mata and Sturridge. They just need a striker in form who does’nt keep giving the ball away when they hold it up. Both Torres and Drogba have been doing this all season which is why I find it quite bizare that Anelka who rarely gives the ball away wasn’t given a run as a loan striker.
Anelka is an on-loan striker, isn’t he? Or was it a straight transfer?
he means lone striker, and hes been at chelsea for 4 years man ….
I felt like Sturridge had (somewhat) curbed his shoot on sight policy and passed a bit more/better lately. I think he might have been frustrated at repeatedly being denied by the excellent Krul and that’s why he passed up several chances to set up teammates today.
Another thing I forgot to mention was how well I thought Terry played. I feel some of his criticisms recently have been unfair, with Luiz’s poor decision making and positioning, it throws Terry into all sorts of trouble. Today, holding the slender 1-0 lead and dropping slightly deeper, Terry’s strengths come through. Using his awareness to block balls on the line, throwing himself infront of shots as he likes to do and challenge in aerial duels, but obviously with his declining pace which he was never blessed with in the first place, changing to a highline at this point in his career isn’t ideal.
He’s always relied on his reading of the game anyway like you say. If he had quick covering center back alongside him like Carvalho was he’d be fine.
Yeah, Luiz isn’t exactly slow, but its all his other qualities at the moment which is causing problems.
Newcastle- I agree with ZM that they really missed some of there best players today.
In defense, they really struggled, especially when Collicini was forced off. But even before that Drogba was doing a good job of occupying both, this meant Steven Taylor couldnt come across to deal with sturridge when he stormed into the penalty area. Then without Collicini, Newcastle really struggled in the air, contantly losing balls to Drogba and allowing Chelsea up the pitch. Ryan Taylor was poor on the right, easily losing one-on-one battles with sturridge, as he lack of pace really showed. But what was more disappointing was he didnt try to get forward to expose sturridge’s poor defensive skills (a striker playing outwide). Simpson at least got forward to expose mata’s poor defensive skills (a pattern emerging for chelsea) but lost mata when he moved inside, and this allowed chelsea to dominate and left Simpson marking no1 really.
In midfield, they got there balance very wrong. They obviously missed tiote in midfield who surely would have fared than Guthrie. In the match, cabaye pushed up and Guthrie sat deep, but I think it should have been the other way around. Cabaye should have dropped deep to occupy the space mata was drifting into, this would have reduced the space Chelsea’s best player had, while also allowed Cabaye to keep a eye on Lampard moving forward. Lampard would have been free but, he isnt that creative on the ball, and pressing him instead of mata was a big mistake. Then Guthrie could have pushed forward to press Ramires, who is susceptible to pressure, often giving the ball away when being forced to act quick. Ben arfa did a good job pressing Romeu, to try and stop chelsea playing out from the back, but Newcastle lost that when they substituted him off for a striker. He was quiet in attack (side effect of playing close to Romeu) but that could be down to fitness.
In attack, Obertan and Lovenkrands did a good job of pushing back Chelsea’s fullbacks, which helped stifle chelsea in the first half as they lacked width in attack. But they rarely got the chance to use there pace to effect Chelsea’s defense and in an attacking sense they struggled to threaten Chelsea. Demba Ba did a good job up front however, making sure Newcastle had some sort of threat. He looked to attack Luiz and win balls in the air, which he consistently did, and should have got at least one goal, very unlucky. He failed to hold up the ball well though, which meant he couldnt get his team mates involved in attacks. This changed when Ameobi came on, as he was close enough to work off Ba, and probably should have got a goal himself, but him coming on allowed Romeu to be free, and this let chelsea keep the ball in midfield.
Overall, Newcastle were not good enough all over the pitch. In defense they were torn apart and dominated, in midfield they were outplayed and outnumbered (with mata moving inside) and up front they couldnt keep the ball. There only chance of scoring was long balls to Ba from defense or crosses from outwide when the wide players beat there fullback, which happened less and less as the game went on.
Undoubtedly, Collicini would have done better against drogba for the whole game, Tiote would have helped newcastle compete in midfield and gutierrez would have offered more of a goal threat. But it should be said Krul was fantastic and is probably the best goalkeeper in the premier league right now.
Chelsea – Once again Luiz was targeted and once again he was found wanting. Ive never though Luiz was as bad as people were making out and seems just low on confidence after all the media pressure. But today he was dominated in the air by Demba Ba, and this is a clear weakness in his play. This could have lead to Newcastle getting back into the game and he will have improve quickly as other teams will keep targeting him. Terry wasnt too good either, as he often found himself up agaisnt no-one and was Chelsea’s free man, but he was poor on the ball and didnt look to move out of defense to help chelsea in midfield. The fullbacks were pressed back and didnt have much of an attacking threat, this meant chelsea lacked width sometimes in attack. But they dealt with opponent defensively well and made sure the wingers pace didnt cause problems.
In midfield, Romeu found it difficult in the first half with the attention of ben arfa, but found the game much easier when he was subbed off. He became Chelseas free man and kept possession excellently, allowing Chelsea to dominate. Ramires further forward was given way to much room and found it easy to get the ball to mata, while also managed to sneak past Guthrie off the ball to get into good positions. Lampard was kept quiet well by cabaye and has a poor game.
In attack Chelsea were very impressive. Drogba did a great job as the central striker, managing to occupy both S Taylor and Collicini/perch so Sturridge could get into the penalty area. He constantly won aerial battles and got himself a great goal. He also held up the ball well and dragged the Newcastle defense out of position. It was a performance Torres should have taken note of, as its everything he needs to start doing. Sturridge was terrific, outpacing R Taylor easily when on the ball, and making excellent off the ball runs, he deserved his goal too. Mata was also fantastic and made sure Chelsea clicked, it seems his best attribute is getting chelsea to play better. He was left free when he moved inside and created most of chelsea’s best moves.
Overall, Chelsea had some trouble dealing with Ba, but kept a clean sheet so they have to get some credit, and there fullbacks did a good job defensively. But it was in attack where they won the game, I dont know who to say was there best player as all of the front three had great games and it was there combination that tore newcastle apart.
Why did no one notice Ba was offside?!
Because he wasn’t.
From reading many reports (like this), and watching a few highlights of him this year, Yohan Cabaye seems like one of the best purchases in the EPL. Can anyone elaborate on him this year? Thanks
probably a bad game to judge him on. But usually he looks a fantastic deep midfielder. He has a great range of passing both long and short, has that rare footballing brain, and his positioning is excellent. Possible weaknesses in his play are that he can be beaten in the air, and doesnt score a lot of goals; hes never reached double figures in a season.
But i would agree, probably the buy of the season for 5 million.
“The balance between Chelsea’s two wide players was perfect – one came into the centre of the pitch to retain the ball and create, the other went in behind the defence to add a goal threat.”
The one thing for me is though, how much (natural) width do these 2players provide?
This is why they need there fullbacks to move forward, something they didnt get to do much of today. Its why i like to see boswinga playing, he is fantastic getting forward and really adds an attacking threat.
I thought that Bosingwa did a decent job as an emergency left back recently.
Bosingwa is rarely effective going forward. His crossing is poor as well as his decision making. Ivanovic is a better option at fullback
Thats very harsh, he already has a goal and 2 assists from 11 premier league games. For a fullback that is respectable, especially in a side that has struggled. He is extremely fast, got great delivery and can tackle high up the pitch effectively.
The only problem i would say is that he leaves the RB slot open a bit too much, meaning teams can find gaps in chelseas defense, though its up to Luiz to come across and deal with this. He also struggles to defend when forced deep and isolated from his defense, but this is down to poor protection from further forward (sturridge).
Ivanovic is the weaker choice at RB, he has no attacking qualities; cannot cross, is slow and a poor passer. He can defend deep very well, but for a side that needs width from fullback like Chelsea, they need attacking fullbacks.
Troll.
Ivanovic plays fullback like a CB.
http://opitacoboleiristico.wordpress.com/2011/12/04/para-o-penta/
A little bit of brazillian football, once more – today is the final round, and Corinthians is in top of the table. However, a central defender is responsible for playing in central midfield, facing a challenge in the last day of matches.
I don’t get to see much Serie A, and have obviously been impressed with Krul this season. Any chance he beats out Stekelenburg for the Dutch starting job this summer?
Superb analysis, the thing about AVBs high line is that he’s trying to play an aging JT in a position that needs lots of pace.Besides, David luiz doest have the discipline to stay back and cover the old man and i do not think he should,instead ASVB should try the Alex -Luiz combination or buy Cahill in January to play with Luiz and not with terry.
Fantastic site, i think its way up there with theirtactics.com. AVB’s high line can only work if he drpops terry just like Madrid’s high line is thriving without Cavarlho!!
Alan Pardew on Goals on Sunday. Makes some really good, considered points. Doing a great job at Newcastle mightmakeeurope
Only saw the highlights – can anyone tell me what was going on on the Newcastle left? Sturridge seemed to have the whole wing to himself time and again. Clearly Lovenkrands isn’t as good at getting back as Gutierrez, but with Ivanovic at RB, that shouldn’t be a big problem. Was Taylor getting pulled out of position by some tactical factor, or is he just lost without Gutierrez to cover for him?
No real reason for it that I could see, just got caught too high up, and no doubling up ahead of him
Am I the only one to notice how truly abysmal Drogba was in this match? Especially in the second half he never put a foot right: no movement, horrid passing, losing his headers, making fouls continuously, not tracking back when switching to the right. He also nearly scored an own goal. Had Chelsea played with 10 men that second half, they would have probably been better than with Drogba up front; if he’s there, they always play long to him and lose possession (check the chalkboards for the Chelsea back four to see all their incomplete long hauls forward).
It didn’t really suit their game plan or exploit their opponent’s weaknesses either: Chelsea largely played on the break against Newcastle’s relatively high line and sluggish defenders, and Sturridge really could have run riot with his pace, had he been more efficient. Having a quicker forward next to him (Torres or even Anelka) would have given Chelsea so much more danger up front. In fact, it did, when Torres did finally come on only after 78 minutes: he was involved in both late goals.
Of course, Drogba did score one goal, but Chelsea scored two when he had left the pitch. Seeing this match, it’s quite bewildering he’s still a part of this team when he physically he’s clearly not on a Premier League-level anymore.
Agreed, he was quite poor. Was all about Mata and Sturridge combination, plus Ramires coming from deeper
He’s always a presence, but yeah he was bad, the last few games he has started, his hold up play, something people have come to know him for as one of his best strengths, was rubbish, chesting it down and losing control, wayward heading, he is certainly either detriorating from the player he once was or off form, either way, Chelsea should look to playing Torres more often for the sake of the clubs future.
I disagree, I thought he was a good target in the air and won most of his headers. His goal showed this well, and it had the importance of being the first goal (allways the hardest).
He also had excellent movement, he dragged the CBs out of position which allowed sturridge all that room to burst into the penalty area.
Bad points with his game were that his passing wasnt great, and his balls for sturridge and Ramires were lacking, but he just needs games I think to get that cutting edge back to his game.
Torres came on when Newcastle was tired and more open, he found it easier to find space. Torres still needs to prove he can do the dirty stuff in the game, then he cant start getting games and work on his cutting edge.
Hopefully Davide Santon can start playing soon. Ryan Taylor knows how to pass and shoot but he is not a good left back. It was also the left side of defense which is the weakest vs Man City (Richards).
I thought Newcastle defended poorly all match. An in-form Drogba or a club with any confidence would have thrashed Newcastle. Anyone who doubts AVB’s selection of Didier over Torres needs to simply look at what Fernando did when he came on. His movement/effort are there but twice he had defenders on the back-foot and couldn’t muster a shot attempt.
Does a full back always need doubling up? Our previous left back, Jose Enrique, could deal with one-on-one situations tremendously. At times a defender will need to deal with a one-on-one situation, and that seems Ryan Taylor’s weakest attribute, along with his lack of pace. The combination of the two and playing too high up the pitch against Sturridge contributed to Ryan Taylor’s performance.
Chelsea targeted our biggest weakness, which is our full backs, especially Ryan Taylor. Mata’s movement off the left meant that Simpson had to make a decision. Whether to follow him and leave a gaping hole for A.Cole to exploit, or let the already outnumbered midfield try and deal with him. Clever tactics by AVB, especially with Mata making late, clever runs behind our midfielders.
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