ANALYSIS

WHAT WE LEARNED

BEN-T OUT OF SHAPE

PEP Guardiola’s experiment of playing both Gabriel Jesus and Sergio Aguero, with three at the back, relies heavily on Benjamin Mendy.

The Frenchman must have been pulling up trees in training to get his chance and have so much placed on his shoulders.

He was the City player who found plenty of space in the first half, but his crossing was again not up to the standards he set at Monaco or in his early days with the Blues.

Aguero who led the line despite being clearly not firing on all cylinders, and Jesus kept up their stunning goal return from games where they play together, and maybe a fully fit Aguero might have sharpened up this line-up.

But the players wear the 4-3-3 like a comfortable overcoat, and with key games coming up, maybe Guardiola should trust in the shape that has got them this far.

Remember, this run of 23 wins in 24 games was sparked by a decision to return to basic principles. This was a diversion from that - one they eventually won through a set-piece goal and a couple of defensive errors.

RAZ AND SHINE

RAHEEM Sterling was not given the face-saving ‘rotated’ or ‘rested’ tag he was left out of the squad for tactical reasons.

That sounds like a wake-up call for the England man as the season approaches the point where the silverware starts to be claimed.

If Mendy becomes a real option again although there were few signs that he will Sterling will come under pressure.

STONES ROCKS

FIVE goals in his last 13 games for Stones is a terrific return for a centre-back, and a huge bonus to his resurrection as England’s best defender.

What is even more impressive is the fact he is not thumping in headers from set-pieces - his goals tend to have an Aguero-esque quality, taking up smart positions and finishing with ruthless aplomb. They have all been important goals, too - openers against United in the Carabao Cup semi, and against Crystal Palace and Fulham and a winner against West Ham.

GARCIA PUZZLE

PEP Guardiola says he looks on Eric Garcia like a son, but he seems to be over-indulging a player who turned down a contract and has said he wants to leave at the end of the season. Unless Garcia has had a change of heart giving him match minutes seems like a waste, when there are loyal players who are more deserving.