Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri explained how the Hammers made life so difficult for his team at the London Stadium to deprive them of their sixth win on the trot.
Sarri said: “It was very difficult to play inside,’They were cutting out every pass for Giroud and we needed two wingers.’
Declan Rice was central to yesterday’s defensive performance although the back four looked as solid as it gets in times of stress from the visitors.
He quickly spots potential danger and on several occasions was seen leaving his central position to chase to the left wing and stop dangerous Chelsea moves.
He is powerful in the air and unflinching ion the tackle with the ability to pick a pass as he did to set Yarmolenko and Antonio move in on goal with a brilliant first half through ball.
The Mail got it spot in in their match report when saying: “Rice’s presence helped West Ham frustrate Chelsea, as the full backs stayed deep and encouraged Eden Hazard and Willian inside into a congested central area.
He slowed them down and smothered the danger when they tried to link up with Olivier Giroud.”
Watched the game again on MOTD2 last night and was genuinely surprised that there wasn’t a single complement for our defence from two defenders, I am sure they are told what to say, it was all about how poor Chelsea were in the final third according to Keown and Neville….
“It was very difficult to play inside,’They were cutting out every pass for Giroud and we needed two wingers.”
My oldest boy plays defense on his youth team, and our mantra for him (and all of the defensemen) is “Nothing easy!” Every practice, every match. It works on the youth level and it works on the professional level. Make life difficult for the opponent’s attack, every possession, every ball, until that final whistle.