Photo: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

Chelsea defeated Middlesbrough yesterday, but it wasn’t as many fans had hoped it will be. It’s the most difficult game Chelsea have played in a while now, since the switch to a 3-4-3 formation, and the game got even more difficult towards the end of the match.

Middlesbrough manager reverted to playing a 3-man backline just like Chelsea, and Courtois said after the game that it was responsible for the way the game became a contest.

“Middlesbrough changed to three at the back towards the end of the game which made it harder for us because finding a free man was more difficult. It’s good for us to always have a spare man, we created a lot of chances and we should have scored a second goal.” Said Courtois.