Anatomy of a winning run

20w ins. Man City recorded a mammoth 20th straight victory in all competitions, extending the record for an English top-flight club. ■ It puts to bed a statistical argument that City’s run of 20 wins in 2017 should not count as one was on penalties. 70 days. City’s run stretches back to a 1-0 win over Southampton on December 19. 51g oals scored by 15 different players. Ilkay Gundogan (10) is their top scorer. 15clean sheets. City have conceded just seven goals — they have not conceded more than once in any game. 27p layers used by Pep Guardiola in the run. Ruben Dias (18) has made the most appearances. ■ Four players have made just one appearance: Nathan Ake, Claudio Gomes, Liam Delap and Felix Nmecha.

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City’s run is the seventh best in all top-flight leagues and 3rd in Europe’s ‘Big Five’.

TOP CLASS: Kevin De Bruyne shows his class to pick out Ruben Dias with a deep, curling cross for the Manchester City defender (circled) to head Pep Guardiola’s side in front

FIND THE GAP: even eight Villa outfield players in the box could not stop John Stones from slotting home the winner