CITY TURN ON STYLE

Returning De Bruyne adds to unbeaten defending champions’ aura

FOR all the talk of title bids from Chelsea and Liverpool, defending champions Manchester City are once again looking like the record-breaking side that dominated the Premier League last season.

City crushed Burnley 5-0 at the Etihad on Saturday and while Sean Dyche’s strugglers were never expected to win, the sheer strength of City’s stylish squad was evident in abundance.

After nine games City are unbeaten and top of the league with a positive goal difference of 23 — ten more than Chelsea.

Last season they scored a record breaking 106 goals in 38 games and, with 26 in nine so far, they are on course to break that record.

The win over the Clarets came with Kyle Walker and Danilo out injured and centrehalf John Stones filling in at right-back.

Ominously for their rivals Kevin De Bruyne, whose knee injury has kept him sidelined since the opening game of the season, marked his return as a secondhalf substitute.

Unsurprisingly, Guardiola looked happy and composed after the fifth win in five at home this season.

“Our level at home last season, this season, is high — we win with good performances in general, and we attack more comfortably, with more options,” he said.

“We had five different players score, so there is less pressure on (strikers) Sergio (Aguero) or Gabriel (Jesus).

“We learn every day to attack better when they defend deeper... People attack us and we regain the ball... we have a lot of pace to attack on the counter. It is important for us to combine both things, whether they attack or defend deep.”

Guardiola feels the atmosphere and mood around the Etihad is well suited to his side.

“I would say we feel comfortable at home with our people. Last season we drew against Everton and lost to United but won all the other games.

“We feel comfortable with our fans and the grass, thanks to the greenkeepers for the grass in perfect condition that helps us to play quicker.

“We feel comfortable so we can keep going and be consistent, especially in the Premier League, and that is so important,” he said.

De Bruyne should make City even stronger and Guardiola expects him to be quickly back to his best.

“He has no pain, physically he is a guy who is so strong, he needs minutes, this is the first time he played 30 minutes and this is so important.

“He’s another important player and he’s back and will help us to achieve what we want to do.”