It’s raining goals at City, but Pep calls for more hunger

– Pep Guardiola (right) has urged Manchester City’s free-scoring forwards to stay hungry for goals and says there are many ways in which the Premier League leaders can improve despite their ominous early-season form.

City, who lead Manchester United on goal difference, have been in impressive form in recent weeks, thumping Liverpool, Watford and Crystal Palace in their past three Premier League games by an aggregate score of 16-0.

Combined with a 4-0 thrashing of Feyenoord in the Champions League, and a more modest 2-1 victory over West Brom in the League Cup, City’s momentum since the last international break has been formidable.

The results have pleased manager Guardiola but he is still not satisfied, as shown in the visible signs of frustration he displayed during a scoreless opening 44 minutes of Saturday’s 5-0 defeat of Palace.

He says his players must keep gunning for goals.

“It is the best way to respect the opponents and the fans, everything,” he said.

The key to retaining sharpness up front could be the fierce competition for places among City’s attacking players.

Gabriel Jesus was the man to sit out at the weekend as Leroy Sane, one of last season’s stars, was handed only his second league start of the campaign.

The German made the most of the opportunity, scoring the opener and providing an assist for another player who is having to get used to rotation, Raheem Sterling.

Sergio Aguero was among the substitutes for last month’s trip to Bournemouth and summer signing Bernardo Silva has so far been used sparingly.

David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne have been firm fixtures but even they are well aware of the need to stay on top of their games. – AFP