Everton v Chelsea (30/08/14) - Viz that shows how game shape changed

Everton 3 vs 6 Chelsea

There were goals aplenty at Goodison on Saturday evening, but how did the shape of the teams change as the game ebbed and flowed?  Here’s how the game looked through our Player Positional Tracker.

(Click on the image to make it larger)

They say that Beauty is in the eye of the Beholder, but this is what I picked up from watching the viz:

1st Half

• Game state undoubtedly played a big part in this (as Everton went behind in the first minute), but between the 5^th and 20^th minutes, the game was all about Everton pressure and Chelsea were happy to soak it up by sitting in their own half. Typical Mourinho. Unfortunately for Everton the scoreboard read 2-0 at this stage.
• During this phase of Everton pressure Lukaku wasn’t able to get involved to any great extent
• When Chelsea started to regain some territory advantage it was driven by Willian and Fabregas – both appeared towards the right side at this time (around the 30 minute mark)
• In the run up to half time, Willian and Cesc dropped a little deeper and the attacking positions were taken up by Hazard, Costa and Ramires. During this first half Chelsea showed a great amount of attacking fluidity.
• At the end of the half, Coleman was playing very advanced down the right side and Azpilicueta stayed back to mind the house

2nd Half

• Everton were almost playing with three up top at the start of the second half, with Mirallas, Lukaku and Naismith all advanced, and central. Eto’o then came on to join this party later.
• Ramires played deep during the opening 15 minutes of the second half. During this period he provided more defensive cover than did Matic.
• Hazard was Chelsea’s attacking outlet in the second half
• The final stages of the game seen Chelsea pretty much give up possession as they retreated into defence

Article by Colin Trainor