Manchester City racked up another win by edging past West Brom on Saturday. Manchester City racked up another win by edging past West Brom on Saturday.
Another scintillating start gradually lapsed into a bit of a stroll for Manchester City, whose 3-2 win over West Brom on Saturday did not nearly reflect the huge gulf between the sides.
Pep Guardiola's team produced yet another display of suffocating close passing that brought more new records: the highest points haul after 10 games in Premier League history, a sixth consecutive away league win -- equalling a 1903 club record -- and 21 games without defeat since the FA Cup semifinal last April.
Positives
Two recoveries showed what strong health the side are in. Firstly, the collective recovery from the early aberration of West Brom's equaliser out of the blue and secondly, the individual recovery of Gabriel Jesus. Having lost the ball in front of Ben Foster's goal, it was Jesus, with Kyle Walker and David Silva in close proximity, who won it back on the half-way line.
Negatives
There is a slight whiff of complacency beginning to set in at times and here two goals were gifted to the opposition when the gulf in class should really have been reflected by a three or four goal margin. Might this come back and bite them on the backside at some point?
Manager Rating out of 10
8 -- Is it possible to over-egg such a succulent cake? With Bernardo Silva starting alongside his namesake David, plus Leroy Sane, Jesus and Kevin De Bruyne, there was a tendency to over-elaborate. Raheem Sterling's introduction gave the side more balance and directness.
Player ratings (1-10; 10=best. Players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)
GK Ederson Morais, 7 -- How do you rate a goalkeeper who does not have a single save to make but ends up conceding two goals? Standard afternoon using his feet well, passing securely and with a variety of height and length.
DF Kyle Walker, 7 -- A little restricted going forward by Bernardo Silva largely sticking to the right wing. Lost Grzegorz Krychowiak at the far post but made amends with a glorious assist for Sterling's goal. Booked at the end for an unnecessary but understandable bit of frustration after James McClean's dangerous tackle went unpunished.
DF John Stones, 7 -- Slow to follow the flight of Gareth Barry's pass through the centre, which Jay Rodriguez profited from. Lost the ball under his foot on another occasion. Too casual at times.
DF Nicolas Otamendi, 7 -- His control of Salomon Rondon had been exemplary until a soft chest back to Ederson fell perfectly for Matt Phillips to give the scoreline an unbalanced look at the end. Also booked for slicing through Jake Livermore, but was the better of the centre-backs.
DF Fabian Delph, 7 -- Beginning to use his right foot, so high has his confidence soared. First two shots on goal were his and he was a constant irritant down the left, linking with Sane and David Silva fluidly.
MF Fernandinho, 9 -- An assist and a goal for the Brazilian in an all-action performance. Beautiful diagonal ball for Sane to open the scoring and a right foot shot that nicked off Barry's instep for City's second. Majestic nutmeg on Allan Nyom and a charging presence in midfield right to the end.
MF Leroy Sane, 7 -- Appeared to be little danger when he attempted an early shot. With no backlift, the ball shot past a rooted Foster like a piece of wet soap from under a weight-lifter's foot. Good outlet for controlled possession on the left, but final ball was a disappointment on too many occasions.
MF Bernardo Silva, 6 -- Blocked Walker's passage up the right and tended to drift and lose possession through over-elaboration. Replaced by the more effective Sterling after 60 minutes.
MF David Silva, 8 -- Key to everything positive, Silva is the fulcrum for City's bewildering circulation of the ball. Illustrated perfectly by integral part played in the mesmerising third goal. Eight yard pass straight into touch proved he is human after all.
MF Kevin De Bruyne, 7 -- Strolling performance from the Belgian. Some neat early passes, but restricted himself to simple ball circulation for most of the game, as Tony Pulis' plan appeared to be to pay him extremely close attention.
FW, Gabriel Jesus, 6 -- Another selfless showing from the Brazilian. Seen on the half-way line fighting for possession after being robbed higher up the pitch. Nutmegged Jonny Evans but called back for a foul that did not exist and was booked for protesting it.
Fernandinho was the pick of the bunch with a commanding performance as City maintained their five-point lead at the top.
Substitutes:
MF Raheem Sterling, 8 -- Arrived as a 60th minute replacement for Bernardo Silva and immediately found himself on the end of the move of the game, tapping in Walker's precise cross. Provided a more direct threat.
MF Ilkay Gundogan N/R -- On for Jesus after 82 minutes and found himself in plenty of space to charge forward as the hosts tired.
Simon is one of ESPN FC's Manchester City bloggers. Follow him on Twitter @bifana_bifana.
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Source: espn.co.uk