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What Tottenham must do to beat Chelsea in FA Cup semifinal

By Harry Davies

FILE PHOTO (EDITORS NOTE: GRADIENT ADDED - COMPOSITE OF TWO IMAGES - Image numbers (L) 666204736 and 607529584) In this composite image a comparision has been made between Antonio Conte, Manager of Chelsea (L) and Mauricio Pochettino, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur. Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea meet in one of the Emirates FA Cup Semi-Finals on April 22, 2017 at Wembley Stadium in London. ***LEFT IMAGE*** BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - APRIL 08: Antonio Conte, Manager of Chelsea looks on during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Chelsea at Vitality Stadium on April 8, 2017 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) ***RIGHT IMAGE*** LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 18: Mauricio Pochettino, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur looks on during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Sunderland at White Hart Lane on September 18, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
FILE PHOTO (EDITORS NOTE: GRADIENT ADDED - COMPOSITE OF TWO IMAGES - Image numbers (L) 666204736 and 607529584) In this composite image a comparision has been made between Antonio Conte, Manager of Chelsea (L) and Mauricio Pochettino, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur. Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea meet in one of the Emirates FA Cup Semi-Finals on April 22, 2017 at Wembley Stadium in London. ***LEFT IMAGE*** BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - APRIL 08: Antonio Conte, Manager of Chelsea looks on during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Chelsea at Vitality Stadium on April 8, 2017 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) ***RIGHT IMAGE*** LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 18: Mauricio Pochettino, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur looks on during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Sunderland at White Hart Lane on September 18, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /
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Spurs, who return to Wembley tomorrow to take on Chelsea in one of two FA Cup semifinals, must stick the 4-2-3-1 formation that has led to so much recent success. 

Manchester United did Tottenham a big favour last weekend, handing Chelsea their second defeat in four games. Goals from Marcus Rashford and Ander Herrera led the Red Devils to a 2-0 win.

Chelsea, for the first time in a league game in almost ten years, failed to register a single shot on target. You’d have to go back to the same fixture in 2007, also a 2-0 United win, to find the last time Chelsea didn’t manage a shot.

Tottenham have won every game they have played so far in April, scoring a 13 goals while conceding just two. Chelsea have won two and lost two, scoring and conceding six in the process.

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Spurs will stick with 4-2-3-1 formation

Tottenham kickstarted what has been a great 2017 with a 2-0 win against Chelsea in early January at White Hart Lane.

Spurs favoured a three at the back, often rotating between a 3-4-2-1 and 3-4-1-2. Full backs Danny Rose and Kyle Walker pushed up the pitch into winger roles, but dropping back when needed.

Spurs must avoid making the mistake of trying to replicate what United did last week. The Red Devils 3-5-2 formation (Jose Mourhino’s favoured system) led to Eden Hazard being shutdown completely in midfield, mostly due to Ander Herrera’s proficient shadowing of the crafty winger.

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Tottenham should stick to the 4-2-3-1, a big reason why their defensive record is so flawless of late. Walker and Davies will still push forward, but the pair must prioritize their defensive responsibilities in this formation. Let the front five of Mousa Dembele, Eriksen, Dele Alli, Harry Kane and Son Heung-Min take the offensive reins.

It’s a more balanced formation and one, with Dier playing at the top of this game, that shouldn’t be tampered with.