How Pep has transformed the cautious Blues into a powerhouse
IT’S now nine games unbeaten in all competitions for City as their fine 2017 continues.
Their season looked to be heading off course when Everton thumped in four at the start of the year.
But that game was an extreme culmination in two problems Pep Guardiola had been going on about for months.
They weren’t clinical enough in front of goal and let in too many goals for the chances they were conceding.
Ahead of the Sunderland game, the manager expressed his belief that the team have significantly improved in that regard, and two performers at the Stadium of Light showcased the transformation in the City team.
In attack, Leroy Sane has taken just eight shots on target to score six goals for the club. When it’s heading for the net, it’s rarely stopped.
The flying winger netted his first against Arsenal but was then sidelined through injury.
His first game back was the start of the current unbeaten run, and five goals in nine appearances - including three in his last three - have helped take the pressure off the strikers to get all of the goals.
At the back, opting for Willy Caballero in goal has also been an important decision.
Claudio Bravo letting in six goals from six shots on target against Everton and then Spurs exhausted Guardiola’s confidence, with City’s No. 2 benefitting.
The Argentine may be benefitting from better performances in front of him, but he is still significant in matches.
Caballero has let in just four goals from 16 shots on target and picked up four clean sheets in those six games.