How West Ham out-tacticed Chelsea in 3-2 win
By Alex Smith
West Ham were brilliant in the 3-2 victory over Chelsea to continue their fantastic start to the season, as they remain 4th in the Premier League table.
The winning goal may have been fortunate but the Hammers earned their luck and were arguably the better team, especially in the second half.
David Moyes re-introduced Manuel Lanzini to the starting line-up and changed formation, it worked perfectly as the Scot outwitted Thomas Tuchel. We explain how:
West Ham and David Moyes performed exceptionally getting their tactics spot on in the 3-2 win versus Chelsea.
First Half:
West Ham normally play a 4-2-3-1 but begun the game matching Chelsea’s 3-4-2-1 formation. Kurt Zouma, Craig Dawson and Issa Diop all started together for the first time as, Aaron Cresswell, who normally plays as part of a back three when Moyes chooses that formation, remained out with injury.
The Irons defended deep with Ben Johnson and Vladimir Coufal making the three feel more like a back five.
Michail Antonio, who has been struggling for form of late was criticised by some for not being in the box enough during the first-half. However, this was a clear tactical ploy from Moyes as he attempted to isolate the Jamaican against Andreas Christensen rather than up against all of Chelsea’s back three and the better Thiago Silva and Antonio Rudiger.
West Ham bravery rewarded with penalty
Despite West Ham sitting deep, they did press, this led to the penalty converted by Lanzini. Declan Rice was tasked with pressing as well as the front three and his pressure on Jorginho made the Italian pass back to goalkeeper Edouard Mendy. Jarrod Bowen anticipated this pass excellently giving Mendy no time to control and clear the ball. He nipped in front and was then fouled – West Ham equalised.
Just before the break, Johnson went off injured and left-wing-back Arthur Masuaku came on, who thought at that point with the Hammers 1-2 down he would be the fortunate hero.
Second Half:
West Ham were ok in the first half but Chelsea’s second goal via Mason Mount was a real blow having just got back into the game.
The emphasis was on West Ham to attack with Chelsea ahead. The West Londoners are so solid defensively Moyes had to do something and he did.
Moyes Masterclass
He switched from a 3-4-2-1 to a 3-5-2. Lanzini joined Rice and Tomas Soucek in central midfield allowing Bowen to get closer to Antonio who didn’t look his best.
Bowen was fantastic in the second half putting in surely his best performance in a West Ham shirt. The 24-year-old was worked tirelessly without the ball pressing Chelsea’s defenders and was a threat with it with his direct style of attacking.
He fully deserved his goal and it came from Moyes’ switch to get more people around Antonio and press frequently. The ball was played up to the striker, Silva’s header clear wasn’t the best, Coufal alert and higher up the pitch picked up the loose ball and passed to Bowen who finished expertly – West Ham equalise again.
There was then clear evidence West Ham were using Antonio and Bowen together. Bowen was unlucky not to score when the number nine fired a low cross across the box that was nearly turned in by the rushing in former Hull star.
Another Tactical Switch
Zouma then went down injured, with no other defenders on the bench West Ham were forced to go back to their normal 4-2-3-1 with Pablo Fornals coming on.
This made West Ham more attacking and Moyes’s side got their lucky winner via Masuaku’s cross come shot.
The emphasis was now with Chelsea, they were trying to move the ball quickly out to the left where Callum Hudson-Odoi was to catch West Ham out if their press didn’t work.
Back to Plan A
Moyes adapted to Tuchel’s change reverting back to the original 3-4-2-1. Now it was Rice playing as a third centre-back on the right, to support Coufal on that side and keep Romelu Lukaku quiet. This was incredibly successful as Chelsea didn’t create any major chances after Masuaku’s winner.
Tuchel is an exceptional manager but Moyes stayed one step ahead of the German throughout and deserves much praise for the victory.