Manchester City picked up a crucial three points in their chase for history this season with an emphatic 5-1 win over Luton Town yesterday. The win at the Etihad Stadium moved Pep Guardiola’s side to the top of the Premier League table before Liverpool and Arsenal both play today. But across City’s last four performances in all competitions, it is clear that the world champions are approaching their best form at the penultimate stage of the season.
In their past four games against Aston Villa, Crystal Palace, Real Madrid, and Luton Town Pep Guardiola’s side has scored 16 goals. The free-flowing attacking football has returned just in time for the business end of the season. While they have conceded 7 goals in those games, what has stood out is that City’s fluidity has returned to their play.
While the champions still have the ability to grind out results, they have begun to overwhelm their opponents again. It is generally this stage of the season where Pep Guardiola’s side goes up a gear. That appears to be the case again as they step up their chase for history this season.
Speaking post game Pep Guardiola spoke to the privilege it is for his team to be challenging for three trophies again. That privilege appears to be lifting his team during the final stages of the season. Guardiola said: “We spoke to the players about how incredible it is to be here again. Before the game, we spoke and said ‘we have to admit it, what a privilege. After what we have done in the previous seasons: fighting for the title one point behind, 80 points, 21 points left, on Wednesday playing against Real Madrid with the chance to qualify for the Champions League semi-finals with all the energy our fans will bring, all the best positive moods they will bring to us here and then FA Cup next Saturday to reach the final. What a privilege to be here.”
That privilege and drive for more success appears to have brought the bear out of the Manchester City squad. With Real Madrid up next and an FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea next on the agenda, Pep Guardiola’s squad will have to be at their best to get the required results to continue their chase for history. Based on their last four games, it appears that their best will be what they are bringing to the crucial games that lie ahead.
