CITY’S SHOT IN THE DARK
Kevin not relying on look
KEVIN DE BRUYNE has revealed Manchester City’s big secret – they have players who can score with their “eyes closed”.
Pep Guardiola’s side are unbeaten in 15 games and have served up a feast of goals – 35 in 10 Premier League outings. It’s scarier than a trick-or-treat clown.
But De Bruyne says those backing the league leaders to go through the campaign undefeated might just lose their money.
The Belgian said: “I think we go out knowing we will create chances.
“As long as we do that we’ll always score goals because we have guys who can score with their eyes closed.
Bloodied
“To go unbeaten? I don’t think it will be possible.
“Every game is hard and you need to be mentally there. And with the Champions League and all the cups, there will be a game that we maybe lose.”
Pep’s boys never looked in danger of losing this, although they had their nose bloodied a couple of times along the way as the battling Baggies scrapped it out.
Tony Pulis’ side missed a couple of decent chances as well, but so did City, so a 6-3 scoreline wouldn’t have looked out of place.
This was a game where Albion could quite easily have taken a battering, given current form.
They didn’t, but defender Kieran Gibbs says City might just be the best he has seen.
The England defender said: “I think so. Collectively they are strong everywhere. It’s tough to play against.
“The way they move the ball, the way the players move position. It’s so hard to keep track.”
West Brom deserve great credit for their performance. When Leroy Sane put City ahead after 10 minutes, you feared the worst.
But within minutes Albion were level through Jay Rodriguez, only to instantly fall behind again when Fernandinho sent one into the net via former City team-mate Gareth Barry.
Once City added a third through sub Raheem Sterling there was no real way back, but Albion kept fighting and got another in stoppage time through Matt Phillips.
That’s nine without a win for Pulis’ side and they now face a testing run of fixtures which could make life twitchy.
It’s Huddersfield away next week followed by games against Chelsea, Tottenham and Newcastle. Gibbs admits it’s time to get cracking.
He said: “Next week’s really important, just before the international break, so we need to make sure we’re all fully focused.”
So are the Baggies worried that they could be right in the relegation mix come Christmas?
Gibbs added: “I haven’t sensed that. I think the boys are getting on with it and waiting for the luck to turn and for chances to go our way.” WEST BROM (3-5-2): Foster 7; McAuley 6 (Phillips 68, 6), Hegazi 6, EVANS 7; Nyom 7, Krychowiak 6 (McClean 81), Barry 6, Livermore 6, Gibbs 7; Rodriguez 7, Rondon 7 (RobsonKanu 58, 6). Subs: Myhill, Yacob, Brunt, Chadli. UP NEXT: Huddersfield (a), Premier League, Saturday. MANCHESTER CITY (4-3-3): Ederson 7; Walker 7, Stones 7, Otamendi 6, Delph 7; Fernandinho 8, De Bruyne 8, D Silva 7; B Silva 7 (Sterling 61, 7), Jesus 8 (Gundogan 82), SANE 8. Subs: Bravo, Danilo, Aguero, Mangala, Toure. UP NEXT: Napoli (a), Champions League, Wednesday. Referee: Mike Jones 8. YOUR TURN: Who is the last man to have scored a hat-trick in a City v Albion game?