Vincent Kompany has revealed how Manuel Pellegrini out-thought José Mourinho by laying “traps all over the pitch” to ensure Manchester City’s dominant 3-0 victory over Chelsea on Sunday at the Etihad Stadium.
Mourinho is considered a master tactician yet Kompany stated how his manager’s strategy made City supremely ready to face the champions. “I have never felt as prepared for a game as I did for this one,” the City captain said. “You could see it – we were setting traps all over the pitch and it planned out perfectly for them. That may be the advantage of only playing one match a week at the moment. If I have to give credit to the team for one thing, it was the way we prepared. There was not one thing Chelsea threw at us that we didn’t know about.
“Two years ago we had a game against Chelsea where they completely dominated us. They only won 1-0 [at the Etihad in February 2014] but probably deserved more. Ever since we have had good games against them, even though we didn’t win last year – we have adapted really well. We probably over-committed less today, but made just as many chances and looked more stable defensively – it was a top performance.”
City now have a five-point lead over Chelsea. “Let’s not get carried away. It’s only two games and there are many to play,” said Kompany, whose goal on Sunday was his second in two matches. “It’s great we have done what we have so far, but as much as my performances can influence the team, the team influences the performances of every individual as well and all of us enjoyed it.”
Kompany is City’s top scorer so far. “I don’t expect it to go on for too long, but I am probably more happy about the two clean sheets. If I am top-scorer for too long, we are in massive trouble,” he joked. “I want Sergio [Agüero] to catch up quickly and go on to be top-scorer in the Premier League again.”
While Agüero, along with Fernandinho, did register against Chelsea, Kompany hailed the effect of the extra seats at the Etihad following the stadium’s expansion. These were in use for the first time against Chelsea. “It was madness in the first half – you could sense the extra 7,000 fans, and I can’t wait to extend the ground again. The fans being brought closer to the pitch also makes a difference it’s a place we have always enjoyed playing but now we need to make a fortress out of the stadium. Everything is there to do it.”
