ROLLING WITHOUT STONES
Star-studded City step closer to title
PEP GUARDIOLA’S Manchester City moved another step closer to retaining their title by deploying four centrebacks in a defence not including John Stones.
Their £100million signing Jack Grealish, who was out ill, has made only 10 league starts this season.
And their worst player on the pitch at Craven Cottage was 25-goal Erling Haaland who missed two clear chances.
But it did not matter when £77m defender Josko Gvardiol netted twice, either side of a strike from Phil Foden. The only doubt during this onesided encounter was who’d take the injury-time penalty eventually converted by Julian Alvarez for the final goal.
And the biggest question after the FA Cup finalists’ seventh consecutive Premier League win by at least two goals is: How long will their domestic domination continue?
On recent evidence, only the departure of Guardiola when his contract expires next summer – or if City are found guilty of breaking PSR rules – can stop the World Club Champions at home.
The case of Stones shows how strong they are. He’s the best English centre-back and essential to the Three Lions bid to win Euro 2024.
For City, he’s been on the bench for six of the last seven and has not started in the Premier League for a month.
Stones did not even come off the bench when Nathan Ake was injured. At least he’ll be rested for Germany. Boss Guardiola said: “He is really okay. Sometimes players make a step up, the other ones.
“Mateo (Kovacic) is playing unbelievable now, Nathan (Ake) was unbelievable as well. That is why also, when you play games in that position.
“Jack last season played a lot. This season he plays less. And in this team, you have to perform consistently well, well, well many, many times. I know their qualities.”
The Catalan’s ability to refresh his squad every season ensures his players don’t get old together as young blood is injected. The three goalscorers at Fulham – Gvardiol, Foden and Alvarez – are 22, 23 and 24. The Croatia stopper has had time to slowly adapt. Guardiola added: “He wants to be better and better and when that happens you have something special.”
Fulham had the same number of shots on target as red cards after Issa Diop’s second yellow for his stoppagetime foul on Alvarez that led to City’s penalty.
Discounting the shootout defeat to Real Madrid, City are now unbeaten in 33 matches dating back to December 6.