Top stories today:

1. Burnley Beaten as City continue their winning run

2. January review as we head into February

3. Threads you need to check out

4. Gvardiol is having an underrated season at City

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0. Standings, Fixtures and Statistics

1. Manchester City 3 - 1 Burnley FC

MOTM: Matheus Nunes

Other standout performers include Julian Alvarez & Kevin De Bruyne.

Main Takeaways

• Nunes has all the ability to become a top player at City but has struggled with his decision making and touch. This game was another reminder of that talent, different from other players in the team and one of the best at driving the ball into space. Dribbling past players under pressure. Convinced he will come good long term.

• Kevin De Bruyne first start and a return to normality. Reminder of why he is considered one of the best midfielders in premier league history.

• The average game of Foden now is consistently very high. Picking up goal contributions. Involved all over the pitch. Electric on the half-turn.

• Great to see the fight in the team defending Rico Lewis. Not sure it was a good idea from the Burnley player to go after him with Ederson nearby.

• Rodri providing his trademark champion league winning goal again. Always a big threat on the edge of the box.

• Jeremy Doku showing how quickly he can take on feedback, improved in this game and worked very hard throughout. Unlucky to not get an assist. Incredible talent we have in him.

• Julian Alvarez looking sharp. Instinctive finish with the header and well timed run for the second.

• Stones getting ninety minutes is huge for the team moving forward, having him back regularly is vital for our title push. Our build up looked much better with him part of it.

• Quiet game for Rico Lewis, neat and tidy throughout. Will always struggle with the physical side at full back but handles it well winning duels. Looks like a City player every time he plays.

• Haaland back on the pitch and looked sharper than expected. Smells the right runs and where a chance will come. Excited to see how he fairs against Brentford. Would expect him to start.

• Good to see plenty of players rested. Dias, Walker and Bernardo.

2. January Review

7th Jan: Manchester City 5 - 0 Huddersfield
13th Jan: Newcastle 2 - 3 Manchester City
26th Jan: Tottenham 0 - 1 Manchester City
31st Jan: Manchester City 3 - 1 Burnley

City won all four games that took place in a quiet January period, had a break and a warm weather training camp in between.

Thoughts

• We couldn’t have asked for a better month with a break and warm weather training coming at the right time. Allowed us to rest players, rotate others in and find some consistent form.

• Players returned from injury with all back in full training. Haaland back from nearly two months on the side. De Bruyne first start against Burnley since his injury. Stones back and with a ninety under his belt.

• Julian Alvarez has looked much better come the end of this month, refreshed and sharp in front of goal. Had struggles with timing, touch and runs but there can be no doubt on his ability. We will need him.

• February is a huge month with a favorable run of games, crucial that we have momentum coming into that. March then becomes very tough.

3. Our Threads on X

The Pep Guardiola Quest for a City Left Back

Summer Road Map 2024 - Full Series

Phil Foden and His Story So Far

4. Josko Gvardiol Flying Under the Radar

Coming into a brand new team, with the highest standards and tactical demands. This was never going to be easy for anyone and Gvardiol has taken on the challenge superbly. We have a potential generational defender here, who could be at the club for the next decade. The short term pain of him making mistakes to learn the role will be paid back tenfold in future seasons.

Over 90% of his games in his carer were played at CB, takes time to learn the new position at the highest level.

Here is a comp of his performances this season at City.

5. Interesting News & Links

• Alfie Harrison looks set to move to Newcastle.

• Here is a Kevin De Bruyne against Burnley comp, first start after injury and already looking like the best midfielder in the premier league.

• Kevin De Bruyne is now outright third all-time in the premier league for assists. Here is some of his best.

• Pep Guardiola wasn’t just an average player, he was an elite number six. See a lot of both Rodri and Fernandiniho in his performances. Here is him against Brazil, 2004.

Let us know what you thought about the game and anything else you want to see discussed!