Southampton v Chelsea - tactics

 Chelsea and Southampton have attempted an identical number of shots on and off target (152). Nine more of the Saints’ have come from outside the area, and the Blues have registered nine more inside the goal area.

It has largely gone under the radar how much Nemanja matic is thriving in Antonio's new system. The Serbian has helped set up four Premier League goals so far, a tally equalled only by the much-vaunted Kevin De Bruyne and Dimitri Payet.

Others are clearly enjoying it too. While N’Golo Kante’s zig-zag run set up a composed finish – belying the fact it was only his second strike in the English top-flight – teammate Eden Hazard has now already equalled his tally for the whole of last season.
William Gallas scored some crucial goals by lingering on the edge of the six-yard box, and right now Gary Cahill is making a habit of doing the same. His first notch of the season ensured United had conceded from a corner, something that had not happened since February. He doubled his tally at the London Stadium with that late strike from a similar setting.
The most likely questions Antonio Conte is mulling over may be whether John Terry should return to the bench following his outing on Wednesday, and whether Pedro or Willian ought to start on the right of the front three. Hazard seems likely to resume duties on the left after being rested initially in midweek.
Manchester City used a similar formation to Conte’s last weekend against the Saints, though the positional flexibility of Claude Puel’s attack allowed their front three occasionally to press and impose themselves on the Citizens’ centre-back trio. On other occasions they threw everyone behind the ball.
The Frenchman has used a midfield diamond with former Blue Oriol Romeu the lone defensive screen at the base, Jordy Clasie slightly left of centre, Steven Davis slightly right, and Dusan Tadic at the apex.
The south-coast side looked to play the ball long into wide areas to exploit the City’s attack-minded wing-backs, David Silva and Leroy Sane. Their wide forwards tuck in when the opposition are in possession to make it five in midfield. Puel may well will ask the same of his players against Chelsea.

At the back they have composed central defenders and manage clean sheets. Virgil Van Dijk (above) – one of five ever-present outfield players in the league – has a habit of making rangey runs forward with the ball, but if he loses possession there is not always someone dropping back to cover for him in defence, potentially leaving the rearguard outnumbered. The Blues showed how decisive they can be when exploiting such gaps against Manchester United.
The Saints like to have lots of pace upfront in Shane Long (officially the league’s quickest sprinter) and Nathan Redmond, and know-how in Tadic and Charlie Austin. However Long is out with a hamstring injury, a fact that will not upset Chelsea’s defenders.