Stones says ‘competition in training’ makes Man City’s attack red hot
Guardiola’s club now holds a five-point lead at the top of the Premier League
John Stones said Manchester City’s free-scoring attack is being fuelled by the competition for places among forwards.
Pep Guardiola’s club opened up a five-point lead at the top of the Premier League on Saturday with a 3-0 win over Burnley at the Etihad Stadium.
It was not an emphatic victory in the manner of recent successes against Liverpool, Watford, Crystal Palace and Stoke City, but it was a professional in which City nonetheless again showed their cutting edge.
City have now scored 42 goals in 13 games in all competitions this season and equalled a club record by winning their past 11 games in succession.
“The strikers are on form now. The competition in training is making them want to be better and score more goals,” centre-back Stones said.
“When they are on the pitch they have got to take their chances and that is what they are doing.
“Burnley are a well-organised team, good defensively. They’ve shown that on the road. Coming after the Napoli game, it was never an easy match. To score three against them and keep a clean sheet is massive for us.”
City were made to work hard by Sean Dyche’s side but controlled possession throughout.
Their breakthrough came after 30 minutes following the award of a controversial penalty.
Bernardo Silva was adjudged to have been fouled by goalkeeper Nick Pope, infuriating the visitors who felt the Portuguese had made the most of minimal contact. Sergio Aguero, making his first appearance since breaking a rib in a car crash three weeks ago, struck from the spot to equal the club’s goalscoring record of 177.
Nicolas Otamendi and the impressive Leroy Sane wrapped up victory in the latter stages.
“To keep clean sheets, keep winning and keep beating every opposition that comes in front of us is a new challenge every week,” Stones said.
“Every game is crucial because football is always changing and things can happen. The goal difference and things like that, everything could come into play.”
City’s next game is against second-tier Wolverhampton Wanderers in the League Cup tomorrow before facing West Brom away in the Premier League on Saturday.