Tottenham Hotspur produced a defensive masterclass to beat Manchester City on Saturday, and they have to do the same when the visit Chelsea this weekend.
Goals in either half from Son Heung-min and Giovani Lo Celso gave Spurs a 2-0 win over Pep Guardiola's side who, despite enjoying greater possession and creating more chances in north London, couldn't find a way past a well-drilled rearguard.
Described by many as a tactical clinic by Jose Mourinho as he got one over on his fierce rival, the plan to sit deep at hit City on the counter-attack worked to perfection.
So much so that former Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe has broken down exactly how the Spurs midfield were able to nulify City's most potent attacking threat - Kevin De Bruyne.
"The counter-attacking was of the highest quality," said Howe on Sky Sports' Monday Night Football programme. "You had people filling in positions that weren’t natural to them to combat Manchester City’s strength.
"I love this, Son back helping his full-back. Harry Kane almost filling in in a left midfield position.
"We know City attack so well through their number eights, here it was de Bruyne and Silva.
"De Bruyne has made a run the other side of Tottenham’s left-back.
"You have to have a plan. Here, what’s unique is Tottenham have decided to track that run with their central midfielder, not just one side but both sides.
"It makes a back five. They dealt with that really well. Sissoko then tracks Silva, so it’s a back six."
With the Lilywhites back in Premier League action on Sunday with a trip to Stamford Bridge in a top-of-the table clash against third placed-Chelsea, Mourinho can look to repeat this blueprint against his former club.
Similar to City, Frank Lampard's side have a wealth of creative players to choose from.
But it's £33.4m summer signing Hakim Ziyech who has become chief creator since returning from injury.
He already has three assists to his name from five Premier League appearances and created six chances in their 4-1 win over Sheffield United before the most recent international break.
Just as City looked to De Bruyne to unlock Spurs, Chelsea will almost certainly look Ziyech to do the same. Yet Mourinho can prevent the Morocco playmaker from having an impact on the game by using the same tactic that kept arguably the league's best player quiet last Saturday.
Although, he will have to slightly alter his tactics as Ziyech operates in a wider position.
