Pep retunes City with a fab-four reshuffle

THE biggest indicator that Pep Guardiola’s tactical tweak had worked came from the ranks of frustrated West Brom fans.

With 35 minutes gone, City 2-0 up and the visitors’ possession hovering somewhere around the 72 per cent mark, the chant went up following a rare spell of fruitless home pressure.

‘We’ve got the ball, we’ve got the ball.’

That the occasion was something worth celebrating spoke volumes for the City manager’s changes.

The three at the back, used in the Premier League home draw with Southampton, was replaced by a traditional back-four.

Fernando may not be most people’s idea of a full-back, but this is Guardiola, and thinking out of the box is a way of life.

The famously meticulous football brain will have studied West Brom and his decision to bring in the muscle of Fernandinho in a holding role in a 4-1-4-1 was clearly a nod to Albion’s brute force.

That West Brom looked as rigid and static as rush-hour traffic on the nearby M5 helped but the new system immediately added balance and control.

Fernandinho offered a shield, while Fernando and Aleksandar Kolarov marshalled the flanks to ensure the hosts struggled to get crosses over.

When they did manage it, they met a maroon wall, with Fernando heading their one first-half attempt on target off the line.

David Silva started in a deeper role in midfield but was able to spring forward and prompt attacks. He may become a fixture in that spot. Square pegs in round holes? It allowed Guardiola’s men to seemingly find space at will.

At times, with Sergio Aguero supported by Silva in the centre, Nolito on the left and Raheem Sterling on the right, it was like watching a football version of the Harlem Globetrotters. Aguero’s first bullet shocked nobody and following his second Guardiola left the edge of the technical area, which he had patrolled from the start of the game, and sat down. The restless former Barcelona boss was soon back out again but it was another, almost Jose Mourinhoesque display of satisfaction. Five minutes into the second period, with normal service resumed, Tony Pulis switched channels, introducing Jonathan Leko and James Morrison for Jonas Olsson and Darren Fletcher. For five minutes it appeared to have the desired effect. For the first time, Fernando struggled with his positioning and James McClean, in space, crossed for Salomon Rondon who scuffed the host’s best chance wide.

Guardiola introduced Kevin De Bruyne and Jesus Navas from arguably the most formidable bench in Premier League history.

Aguero set up Ilkay Gundogan for the third and the same supporters who had celebrated gaining possession streamed towards the exits well before Gundogan side-footed his second.

The visiting supporters serenaded their manager with a chant to the tune of The Dave Clark Five’s ‘Glad All Over’, — ‘We’ve got, Guardiola’.

They are glad he is theirs.