Man City is not easy to defeat

Manchester City had a resounding 5-1 victory over Burnley.

Two consecutive defeats against Tottenham and Brighton once caused turmoil within Etihad. A series of results like that was enough to make people question the real strength of Man City in the new season, especially when Liverpool started off well.

But within weeks, the story had turned around. Four wins in the last five games – and a style of play that was slowly getting back on track – showed Guardiola was still in control.

From hypothetical crisis to real counterattack

September started with the Manchester derby, where Man City crushed their city rivals to regain confidence. Then Napoli in the Champions League, then Huddersfield in the domestic cup, all caught in the blue cycle. The only exception was a late draw against Arsenal - a small memory in a positive streak.

The 5-1 win over Burnley in the 6th round of the Premier League on the evening of September 27 was a perfect summary. Man City did not necessarily play brilliant football for the entire 90 minutes, but when needed, they still knew how to defeat their opponents with strength and tenacity.

Maxime Esteve’s two own goals were just the beginning. The ending was truly Man City’s signature: Erling Haaland’s quickfire double in the 90th and 93rd minutes. A cold script, showing the killer instinct of a team that knows how to wait for the right moment.

Pep Guardiola helps Man City return to winning streak.

Guardiola denies changing his methods. He remains steadfast in his philosophy of control, but adjusts the rhythm to suit a younger squad. Leaving Bernardo Silva, John Stones or Nathan Aké on the bench is also a statement: Man City have depth, have a successor, and Pep is willing to trust.

He didn’t talk much about the title after six games, but stressed “improving every game”. It was not just a message to the new players, but also a reminder of City’s DNA under Guardiola: winning is a duty, but no victory comes easily without concentration.

Kevin De Bruyne’s departure was seen as a major blow. But paradoxically, that void has created an opportunity for Phil Foden to return to centre stage. The Englishman is rediscovering the form that led to him winning a double in 2023/24. He is confident, creative, and most importantly, seamlessly linking City’s attack.

On the wing, Jeremy Doku has been increasingly consistent. Three assists in the last three games show that the youngster not only has pace and daring, but also knows how to contribute effectively. This is exactly the type of player Guardiola has always wanted: turning youth into a practical weapon.

Haaland is exploding with goals.

Erling Haaland entered the match against Burnley in the 90th minute with what seemed like a lackluster performance. But in just four minutes, he finished off his opponents with two exemplary goals. 15 goals in nine games for club and country - numbers that would make any attack in Europe jealous.

Guardiola summed up the role simply: “That’s his job.” For Pep, Haaland is not a miracle, but the embodiment of inevitability: if Man City create chances, Haaland will score. This certainty is the foundation on which City overcome difficulties.

Man City's giant leap

What added value to the win over Burnley was Liverpool's surprise defeat to Crystal Palace. From seemingly being left behind, Man City reduced the gap to 5 points.

In long-distance racing, moments like these are as important as outright victories over your competition. Pep knows this better than anyone, and he was beaming with joy after the game.

A run of seven games in 22 days across three competitions is a crucial test to assess where Man City stand. With just one draw and all the rest wins, the answer is clear: the champions are still there, still strong, still know how to overcome the storm.

Man City is still the powerhouse of English football.

Next up are the away trips to Monaco and Brentford. If he can maintain his winning streak, Pep can end September with absolute satisfaction - a month that could have turned into a crisis, but has now become a turning point to reaffirm his strength.

Manchester City are no longer the invincible team they were a few years ago, but Guardiola still possesses something more valuable: the ability to renew the team, to instill a winning spirit in each player. Haaland still scores regularly, Foden and Doku are on the rise, and the team knows how to take advantage when Liverpool stumble.

August was a worrying month, but September showed that Man City is still Man City - not one to be easily brought down.

Source: https://znews.vn/man-city-khong-de-bi-ha-be-post1588953.html