THE

suggestion that Manchester City are not as effective without Fernandinho will have riled his team-mates. In their last two games, they have played with a point to prove that they can be just as solid without him. For City, the best form of defence is to keep the ball. Across their games with West Ham and Bournemouth they averaged 79 per cent possession and faced just one shot on their goal. Back-to-back clean sheets will be a source of pride for Pep Guardiola.