IAN LADYMAN

FIVE days out and it’s already tempting to fear for Burnley. Sean Dyche and his players are next up for the Manchester City threshing machine. While the rest of us marvel at the football played by City, spare a thought for those trying to stop them. City’s football stands apart from everybody else in terms of ambition, fluency and bravery. And it is timely that the most effervescent display of Pep Guardiola’s reign came on the day Manchester United were castigated for their approach at Liverpool. United are being criticised too much for this. A point at Anfield has always been a good point. Nevertheless, it would be easy to understand if the neutral is hoping for a City title win. Nobody has played like this for a long time and we should cherish it. Guardiola struggled to come to terms with English football last season, but City’s football has moved to a celestial level. It would be a shame if it crashed to earth any time soon.