Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterTottenham Hotspurs victory in the howling wind and rain was forged in a single destructive intervention. Cole Palmer slamming his knee into Matheus Fernandes was a bolt of electricity sparking this game into life. Within 15 minutes, Spurs had scored twice and Palmer had received his second yellow card.Fully De Zerb'd victoryIt was a gritty, muscular, emotional win for Spurs yet it was built, subtly, on a tactical battle won by Roberto de Zerbi, whose high-octane football creates a psychological advantage by design.The tactical pattern at Stamford Bridge meant Palmers aggressive act was only ever going to help Spurs.Xabi Alonso, who has quietly abandoned his 3-4-3 recently, played a 4-4-2 with Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer deployed as false nines, although they were so false they were more like ghosts, pressing erratically to leave Chelseas two-man midfield repeatedly exposed.By contrast, De Zerbis false nine, Omar Marmoush, knew exactly when to drop back, notably providing the wall-pass to his teammates and, by joining the midfield three, creating a four-on-two in the centre of the field: You may like Henderson-Barco pivot tells us Xabi Alonso failed to prepare Chelsea properly for Brentford I've done a complete U-turn on Roberto De Zerbi, here's why Tottenham Hotspur can launch a title challenge under him Tottenham looked like strangers at Brentford Roberto De Zerbi must find a solution This was the foundation of Tottenhams decisive tactical advantage and Alonso had no answer, perhaps because he is not used to the Premier Leagues speed and physicality, characteristics De Zerbi has embraced.Had Alonso played his usual 3-4-3 then one of his spare centre-backs could have followed Marmoush and shut this down.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.Or, had he acknowledged De Zerbis press-baiting tactics and told his forwards to hold their position, he could have shut this down.That Alonso did neither tells us he is still very much in a learning phase.TOPICSCole PalmerTottenham HotspurChelseaAlex KebleFreelance Tactics WriterAlex Keble is a freelance football journalist based in London, specialising in tactical analysis. Hehas written forBBC Sport, Goal, The Mirror, The Independent, Football 365, and many others. As well as covering Premier League football, Alex works as a child therapist.
