Lies, damned lies and stats – here’s City’s whole story
THE stats will show how City are already falling behind the blistering pace they set at the start of last season – but the stats don’t tell the whole story.
As Pep Guardiola led his team to 100 points and 106 goals in 2017/18, the question at the start of this campaign was how could he possibly improve that?
He argued that each player could improve individually, and warned that another 100-point season was extremely unlikely.
But while City don’t look like they will finish 19 points clear of the rest of the league this season, the signs would suggest they are actually looking stronger.
Sitting top on goal difference after nine games, the Blues are unbeaten in the league, but have scored ten goals more than Liverpool already with 26.
It is the defensive statistics that are more impressive though. Guardiola’s men have only conceded three times in the league all season and six in all competitions from 13 games.
In fact, City have not conceded a goal domestically in six games since the 2-1 win over Newcastle on September 1.
The recent 0-0 draw at Anfield is testament to the focus on tightening an already-impressive defence. The focus was purely on restricting Liverpool’s attacking threat that had hit 14 goals past them in four meetings last season – and the team effort worked.
Captain Vincent Kompany stressed this weekend that the whole team has worked on winning the ball back higher up the field to restrict chances conceded on Ederson’s goal.
He also praised the side’s defence for their work on turning defence into attack as quickly as possible.
Earlier this season, John Stones told reporters how Guardiola trains his defenders to work in different back-four combinations so they are prepared for any teamsheet he chooses.
So when Guardiola was asked how City could improve, he has put the work in to make his squad as effective in defence as they are in attack.
As their rivals have undoubtedly got stronger, so have the Blues.
Last season, the only way to beat City was to out-score them.
This season, they have made sure that isn’t an option.