Chelsea v T*ttenham Hotspur: Roberto Di Matteo’s back to basics defence could prove crucial in race for fourth
They might have lost in the end, but Chelsea showed a side to their game at Manchester City on Wednesday that hasn’t always been present during this turbulent season.
It was the way Roberto Di Matteo’s men defended, the way they stuck together to keep City at bay by maintaining their shape and doing the right thing.
It was almost like the Chelsea of old, certainly a change to some of the inexplicable defending witnessed at times under Andre Villas-Boas.
And what do you know? At the heart of this improvement stood the man that often figured in those seat-of-the-pants moments, the man whose erratic movement and unpredictable decision-making spread panic through the ranks at times.
Yet David Luiz played very well at the Etihad Stadium. In simplifying his game, the Brazilian defender looked like the player his reputation suggested on arriving in England with a heavy price tag. There was none of that risky chance-taking in dangerous areas and fewer mazy dribbles that previously left him stranded if possession was lost.
In contrast, Luiz took up good positions in the penalty area to clear his lines on several occasions. In addition, it was noticeable that he and Gary Cahill didn’t split so wide when Petr Cech had the ball, whereas under Villas-Boas the team tried to play out from the back like Barcelona.