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Premier League 2018/19 is well underway and the biggest question still remains the same: Who can stop Pep Guardiola's unstoppable Manchester City? Manchester City is yet to taste a defeat in the Premier League this season.
Although Lyon managed to check Manchester City's domination in the UEFA Champions League, City is unbeatable home and away in the Premier League. The gap between league leaders Manchester City and their closest opponent - Liverpool- is just two points but the way and extent of City's domination so far makes them untouchable in the league.
Manchester City has scored 40 goals in just 13 games, 14 more than Liverpool. While they dropped only 14 points last season on their way to Premier League title, 15 teams have already dropped more than 14 points this season. Meanwhile, Manchester City has just dropped 4 points so far.
The statistics and numbers can only summarize the resounding domination from Manchester City so far in 2018/19. Let us evaluate three reasons behind their success so far.
#3. Improved defence
It seemed almost impossible for Manchester City to improve on their superb 2017/18 season. Even then, there were few questions about City's defence last season but they have extinguished any concerns about their defence so far.
Manchester City, along with Liverpool, has only conceded five goals so far this season, which is lowest in the Premier League this season. Last two goals of the five for City came from penalties which make almost 3 months since they conceded a goal from open play.
The flawless young duo comprising of Aymeric Laporte and John stones have been sensational so far. Although Pep shuffled between Stones, Vincent Kompany and Nicolas Otamendi, Laporte has proved himself to be a mainstay in Manchester City's defence this season.
City's defence has only allowed less than 2 shots per game which is less than Benitez's Liverpool, Jose Mourinho's Chelsea and Sir Alex's Manchester United. What's more astonishing is the fact that Aymeric Laporte is the player with second most passes in the Premier League and John Stones boast a passing accuracy of 95%, most in the Premier League so far.
There is no doubt that City's defense looks more formidable than ever and the statistics only prove how impenetrable they have been this season.
#2. Team chemistry
Most teams would suffer from their main playmaker out for months with injury but not this Manchester City side. Despite missing a talisman like Kevin De Bruyne, they have proved to be effective as always.
Manchester City in full flow is a pleasure to watch for football fans all over the world irrespective of the club they support. Even in the absence of Kevin De Bruyne, they have managed to outplay teams with their superb link-up play between themselves.
Manchester City has already scored 40 goals in 13 games in the Premier League, averaging just over 3 goals per game and they have scored 6 goals against two teams already this season.
Their cohesiveness and excellent partnerships provide a typical harmony in their game which makes them out of the reach of their rivals. For instance, their goal against Manchester United this season comprising of 44 passes is a testament to how good their team chemistry is this season.
With the likes of David Silva, Raheem Sterling, Bernardo Silva and Sergio Aguero, they can seemingly thread passes, pick up teammates and penetrate defences at will, rendering their opponents almost useless at times. It is quite clear that opponents are yet to find a way to stop their attacking prowess so far.
#1. Pep Guardiola
It would be cruel to not give credits to the mastermind behind Manchester City's excellent displays this season and even for the past few seasons. What's truly amazing is that the rest of the world are yet to grasp the limits of the man and his current side.
Pep Guardiola surpassed all his peers in the English Premier League as his side were the first to reach the 100 point landmark last season. They dropped fewer points than even Arsene Wenger's 'Invincibles' on their way to Premier League title last season.
But Pep Guardiola is a man obsessed with perfection. His constant evolution and Manchester City's constant improvement proves just that. At the same stage last season, City scored two goals more but they have conceded 3 goals less this time around.
Title winning teams over the years showed either great attacking prowess or excellent defensive rigidity. But the current Manchester City side is being more efficient on both these departments than their peers which proves the greatness of a mastermind like Pep Guardiola.
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