Crystal Palace played with three centre-backs at Bournemouth and left with a 2-0 win.
No coach would admit it publicly, as it would look like copying, but I think Antonio Conte’s success at Chelsea this season has inspired his colleagues.
After Conte switched to a 3-4-3, Chelsea won 13 Premier League matches on the bounce.
Following a run like that, it is only natural for other coaches to have a look and wonder if the system would suit their teams.
"We have improved a lot in terms of our identity and confidence"
Antonio Conte on his Chelsea formation
Sam Allardyce is looking for greater defensive solidity and this formation may give them that.
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When you’re under the cosh, your wing-backs drop deeper and the midfield shields the back five, meaning you have seven or eight defensively-minded players.
That’s not easy to break down.
The trick then is to break effectively — and Palace have goals in their team.