We are in for a masterclass of offensive football on Monday when Chelsea travel to the Etihad stadium to attack Manchester City. No sitting back or parking the bus, no defensive strategy in the hope of being the first team to win a Premier League point at Fortress Etihad this season. Ambitious Chelsea will go for it.

At least, that is the conclusion after Jose Mourinho called West Ham's football "19th century," as the Hammers' stubborn rearguard display at Stamford Bridge last Wednesday saw them leave with a valuable point after a goal-less and soul-less draw. Sam Allardyce could only laugh at Mourinho's criticism of his team: "Ten defenders in the box, defenders not putting a foot outside the box . . . they played with five defenders and had more goalkeepers than defenders."

West Ham had lost seven of their previous nine games. Allardyce was not going to tell his team to go forward at every opportunity and whatever your opinion of it, defensive football is not against the law. Opponents have to find a way to beat it and Chelsea had 39 attempts at goal, the highest total in 10 years for a team failing to score.