Match Day 11 was a tough one for the defenders and something the players marshalling the backline and trying to thwart the abundance of attacking talent in the Premier League will be eager to forget. There was a solitary clean sheet across the 20 teams and it was no surprise to see the tactical genius Antonio Conte’s side Chelsea, shutting down the opposition in a 5-0 rout of Everton. With the games done and dusted and a new Top 2 in the rankings, we take a brief look at the 3 defenders who stood out as the International break gives the managers a chance to ponder over their tactics and come up with better answers next time around.
MARCOS ALONSO
The former Fiorentina left-back has progressed steadily and at the end of the 11th match looks like a perfect fit in Conte’s new system. He is hardly recognisable from his Bolton days and has evolved in both defensive and the offensive aspects of his game. Alonso was a constant support for Hazard down the left and even got on the scoresheet himself with a left-footed shot which skidded under Stekelenburg. He had a pass accuracy of 89% and also provided 3 key passes.
GEORGE FRIEND
Facing a rampant Manchester City side at the Etihad is never the fixture defenders look forward to in a season. And on the evidence of the City domination, especially in the first half, with better finishing this might have been a different story. But Boro held on and with a bit of confidence in the 2nd half had a go at the Sky Blues.
Friend was consistent on the left-hand side. He might have had a tough time against Navas, who was City’s best player on the pitch but he dug in and produced 2 interceptions, blocked a shot and made 7 clearances. But most importantly he came up with a peach of a cross in the 92nd minute for Marten de Roon to head in and end the match 1-1.
PHIL BARDSLEY
It was touted as the battle of the strugglers a couple of weeks back but Stoke have since turned things around to show their season is not yet all doom and gloom. Although West Ham were struggling big time but without their main man, it was feared Stoke might not be able to establish a foothold in the game. But they earned a credible 1-1 draw and hence went home with a point. And Phil Bardsley was instrumental in the Potters conceding a single goal. He managed Payet well and made 4 interceptions in addition to clearing the ball four times.
STATS COURTESY: SQUAWKA.COM
