Eddie Howe

Bournemouth were just two points clear of the relegation zone in January 2018 when they travelled to Stamford Bridge for a New Year’s Eve Premier League fixture at reigning champions Chelsea. Having experienced defeat in each of their previous five meetings, Eddie Howe – who later became Newcastle manager – was aware of the need to challenge his opponents with a different approach.

He did exactly that, matching Antonio Conte's 3-4-3 formation with remarkable consequences. Second-half strikes from Callum Wilson, Junior Stanislas and Nathan Aké secured a famous victory that inspired Bournemouth to climb clear of the bottom three and to eventually secure a comfortable mid-table finish. Speaking exclusively to The Coaches’ Voice, Howe explains the thinking behind his team selection in the absence of influential right-back Adam Smith, Bournemouth’s attacking approach, and how his team stopped Eden Hazard.

Starting line-ups

ChelseaBournemouth

1324272831472181011272352416411331319

Chelsea3-4-3

Bournemouth3-4-3

13Thibaut Courtois

27Asmir Begovic

28César Azpilicueta

2Simon Francis

27Andreas Christensen

3Steve Cook

24Gary Cahill

5Nathan Aké

21Davide Zappacosta

24Ryan Fraser

7N'Golo Kanté

16Lewis Cook

14Tiemoué Bakayoko

4Dan Gosling

3Marcos Alonso

11Charlie Daniels

11Pedro

33Jordon Ibe

8Ross Barkley

19Junior Stanislas

11Eden Hazard

13Callum Wilson

Author: Ali Tweedale