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Backs with a bang as Pep extends winning run to 20
ONE ELL OF A REDEMPTION FOR ANWAR
PEP GUARDIOLA has always spent big on Manchester City defenders – and his investment paid a huge dividend against brave West Ham.
John Stones and Ruben Dias – who jointly cost over £110million – were the unlikely match-winners as the City juggernaut powered on after finally subduing the impressive Hammers to rack up a 20th victory in a row in all competitions.
City’s 14th straight Premier League win means a third championship crown in four seasons is looking more certain with each passing game – and Stones is more than playing his part.
For the reborn defender, 2021 is turning into the year when his career came back on track, his reputation restored. Few could have
CAPTION: This is the caption style for rOeNsuPltOtIaNT: David Moyes urges his men on predicted that the former Barnsley and Everton man would spend more than 18 months in the wilderness for club and country after his displays for England at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
And the joy with which he celebrated his slickly taken second-half winner showed how much the centre-back, 26, is enjoying his renaissance after fighting back from adversity.
“I try and chip in,” said Stones. “Some days it doesn’t come off for the forwards and today me and Ruben chipped in. It is all part of us being a team.
“We are just glad to get three points and keep the run going.
“The aim is to go about our business in our own way and keep fighting.
“I think we are playing the football we were a few seasons ago.
“We have fighters in the dressing room. It has been an incredible few months.”
City weren’t at their best – and that was a compliment to a superbly organised West Ham side who are making big strides under David Moyes.
They stuck to a disciplined gameplan and even after twice going behind they didn’t fold. Instead they kept going right to the end with