• Football

Premier League News

News

  • News
  • Teams
  • Leagues/Cups
  • Fixtures
  • Results
  • Table
  • Transfers
  • Video
  • On Sky
  • Score Centre
  • Bet
More from Football
  • Football Home

Adam Bate

Comment and Analysis @ghostgoal

Premier League: Nemanja Matic is Jose Mourinho's monster in midfield and could be crucial in the title race

Chelsea maintained their fine start to the season with a 2-0 win over Arsenal in a hotly contested London derby at Stamford Bridge. Nemanja Matic was a quiet but significant presence in midfield for the Blues...

Last Updated: 05/10/14 9:17pm

Arsenal showed good application for much of Sunday’s game at Stamford Bridge, defending in numbers and wary of the counter attack. But Chelsea’s opener still highlighted the problem. Eden Hazard glided away from Santi Cazorla and Laurent Koscielny was left exposed. It proved decisive.

It’s also the sort of situation Nemanja Matic makes it his business to snuff out. No wonder the Chelsea boss was evoking a beastly comparison in midweek. “I think Matic was a monster,” said Jose Mourinho when describing the Serbian’s performance in Tuesday’s 1-0 win over Sporting.

On his return to Lisbon, the former Benfica man was indeed a considerable presence, not only scoring the only goal of the game with his first-half header but also making more tackles and blocks than anyone on the pitch and winning possession 10 times – more than any outfield player.

Nemanja Matic: Delivered a powerful performance against Sporting in midweek
Nemanja Matic: Delivered a powerful performance against Sporting in midweek

Against the Gunners, it was the turn of others to take the spotlight. Hazard provided the breakthrough with his penetrative running before Cesc Fabregas came to prominence after the interval, lofting the pass over the top for Diego Costa to finish the chance – and the game – in style.

But there was always Matic. Whether it was bullying Jack Wilshere off the ball or tracking a Danny Welbeck run down the channel, the holding midfielder was there to provide security and give others the platform to make things happen. Graeme Souness summed it up well before kick-off.

Arsene Wenger and Jose Mourinho
Arsene Wenger and Jose Mourinho

“Matic’s thoughts are not about getting on the ball and doing something really cute and clever on the ball by scoring a goal or finding a pass for a goal. Matic is not thinking like that. He is going on the pitch thinking that he’s going to do a job for the team and fill all the danger areas when the opposition has the ball. He gives the freedom to the other midfield players to do the damage.”

With the game in the balance in the first half, Matic was at his athletic best. He covered 6.09 kilometres in the opening 45 minutes – more than any other Chelsea player – and nobody on either team gained possession of the ball more times.  In a congested midfield, he remained comfortable.

When Arsenal pushed for an equaliser in the second half, Mourinho had Chelsea operating in full counter-puncher mode and Matic was afforded the luxury of John Obi Mikel alongside him for company. The Gunners failed to muster a shot on target. “We were in control,” said Mourinho.

Nemanja Matic dominated the centre of the pitch for Chelsea in a holding role
Nemanja Matic dominated the centre of the pitch for Chelsea in a holding role

Matic’s quiet determination was evident. Even with the score at 2-0 he was there to shut out Welbeck down the left with a simple back pass to Petr Cech. He then quickly pressed Tomas Rosicky in order to induce an error. There was a high five after an Oscar clearance and applause for John Terry in the final minute when the skipper headed clear. Matic sees the job through.

Jose Mourinho delighted with win
Jose Mourinho delighted with win

It’s that fusion of quality and resilience that might just set Chelsea apart from their rivals this year. The statistics are certainly impressive. Matic ranks among the top six midfielders in the Premier League for tackles, clearances, headed clearances and recoveries.

He’s in the top dozen for aerial duels won too. Tellingly, neither Sunday’s opponents Arsenal nor main title rivals Manchester City have anyone who ranks above him in any of those disciplines.

It was Hazard then Fabregas and Costa who made the difference on the day. But over the course of a long season, nobody should underestimate the difference Nemanja Matic can make for this Chelsea team. There are signs that Mourinho’s monster could prove critical in the title race.

Trending

  • 1
    Jose: Champions League teams will fear us
  • 2
    Usyk-Pulev jostle in AJ hunt
  • 3
    Is it time to trust Foden?
  • 4
    Robertson: No one wants to play Liverpool
  • 5
    When is Champions League last-16 draw?
  • 6
    Charlie's Europa League predictions
  • 7
    Champions League hits and misses
  • 8
    Hamilton and Rossi's F1, MotoGP swap!
  • 9
    USA behind despite Woods' win
  • 10
    Ljungberg: We need to let handbrake go
  • Video
  • Latest News
  • Home
  • Sports
    • Football
    • F1
    • Cricket
    • Rugby Union
    • Rugby League
    • Golf
    • Boxing
    • Tennis
    • Cycling
    • Racing
    • Darts
    • NFL
    • NBA
    • Motorsport
    • Netball
    • GAA
    • MMA
    • eSports
    • More Sports
  • Score Centre
  • Video
  • TV
  • Sky Bet
  • Games
  • More
    • Transfer Centre
    • Live on Sky
    • Get Sky Sports
    • TV Shows
    • TV Guide
    • Competitions
    • Sky Go
    • Now TV
    • Pub Finder
    • Sportswomen
    • Sports Scholarships
    • Tackling Racism
    • Podcasts
    • Mobile
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • Contact Us
    • Terms & Conditions
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Sky Sports
    • Get Sky Sports
    • Sky Sports Apps
    • Sportinglife.com
    • TEAMtalk.com
    • Football365.com
  • Partners
    • Sky Bet
    • Fantasy Football
    • Super 6
    • Sky Sports Pub Finder
    • Living for Sport
    • Planet Rugby
    • Golf365
    • Planet F1
    • Cricket365
  • Sky Sports Channels
    • Sky Sports Main Event
    • Sky Sports Premier League
    • Sky Sports Football
    • Sky Sports Cricket
    • Sky Sports Golf
    • Sky Sports Racing
    • Sky Sports F1
    • Sky Sports Action
    • Sky Sports Arena
    • Sky Sports News
    • Sky Sports Mix
  • More Sky Sites
    • Sky.com
    • Sky News
    • Sky Corporate
    • Sky For Businesses
    • Now TV
    • Sky Communal TV
    • Sky Academy
    • Bigger Picture
    • Store Locator
    • Work for Sky
    • Advertise With Us
    • Sky TV Accessories
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy & Cookies Notice
  • Privacy Options
  • Accessibility Information
  • Contact Us

©2019 Sky UK