Tactical analysis of the game between Middlesbrough vs Chelsea

A fine streak of chelsea fc continued as the team of the month find their way into the league table, owing to the fact that Liverpool suffered a draw on  Saturday. Middlesbrough were out for the kill, karanka had a well thought out plan. With fine blend of experience disciples as fringe players from big clubs to a team that played with cohesion and a strong unit. The team sacrificed the flanks for the middle in what I can call the battle of the middle ground. Matic and kante ran out of steam in a matter of 60 minutes. Deroon, Clayton, Ramirez and Forshaw packed the middle ground with pace and forward thrust movements enough to shake the core shape of conte's formation. With the center packed, chelsea's wing backs were forced to tuck in and support with David luiz moving high up to close gaps and break up attacks when needed.                    
Adama traore benefited from the formation as the most freest player on the pitch, having to dribble two players before being closed down. This was to draw chelsea out of position and shape which he succeeded in some occassions but lacked the trigger at the final third. An end to end frantic pacy game with intense battling and ferrocious tackle kept the game lovers glued to their seats.                       
Chelsea won the game from sheer will of mental strength and high team spirit even when fatigue tend to weigh on heavily on the players                       
Hazard, Costa, Pedro and Moses rose to the ocassion, Hazard making the dribbles count, Pedro missing chances  saved by valdes and the other strucking the bar, Moses doing most of the running like a box to box player covering the right side of the pitch defensively and attacking wise. Matic and kante tired out  but held the middle strongly except for the fact that the midfield battle was a tight contest due to the extra man from the Boro side. Few times the chelsea defensive structure was exposed and after 70 minutes the game became an end to end encounter, both teams defending and attacking Enmass. Chelsea got the best out of the attacking exchange despite having more glaring chances, more shots on target, despite more bodies protecting valdes.