CITY Kompany hails Blues’ brand of total football

VINCENT Kompany says the whole City team should take credit for the 5-0 win over Burnley rather than just the attacking players who shone at the Etihad.

Kompany started the win that kept the Blues at the top of the Premier League, and secured Pep Guardiola’s men their eighth clean sheet in all competitions.

Although it was City’s attacking players who stood out on the day, the skipper believes the whole team should take credit for the performance against a tough Burnley side. Kompany said: “We work hard, try to improve everything. What I say is that you might look at the five goals and say ‘how good is the attack’? It’s a mistake, it’s the team who build it up from the back.”

City are known for having competent, ball-playing footballers all over the pitch under Guardiola, and Kompany says this allows the whole team to contribute in defence and attack.

The Belgian, who has been at City for ten years, added that recovering possession from the front and turning defence into attack quickly is something the squad has worked on in training. “If you look at the fact we didn’t concede and say ‘how good is the defence?’ that’s a mistake too,” he continued. “The strikers press from the front and make sure we recover the ball fast so we don’t concede too many chances.

“So that’s what we’ve worked on, making sure the team can play both sides of the game.”

Kompany was perhaps fortunate not to be sent off in the first minute against Burnley following a strong challenge on Aaron Lennon. Clarets boss Sean Dyche led calls for Kompany to have been shown a red card after the game, but the defender himself brushed off those suggestions. “It certainly wasn’t on purpose. It’s happening a bit blindside. I think I got my studs on his leg. But it’s the ball, I think I got it and luckily he wasn’t injured.”

VINCENT Kompany says he wants supporters to remember Joe Hart as a City legend.

The Burnley goalkeeper returned to the Etihad Stadium for the first time as an opposition player over the weekend as his side slumped to a 5-0 defeat.

After the game, skipper Kompany praised his former teammate for the impact he had on the Blues during his time at the club – and how he played for Burnley – and took the opportunity to thank the 31-year-old for everything he did for City.

“He was paramount to his team, he made some incredible saves on the line,” Kompany said after the win. “I can only re-iterate how much of a legend he is for this club. It can’t be under-estimated what an impact he’s had on helping to build this place and make it what it’s become today.”