THE PREM ERA 21The key to City’s dominance was the creative
input of their “free eights” Kevin De Bruyne
and David Silva, and the team was set up to
allow them to flourish. Fernandinho dropped
in between the centre-backs, while full-backs
Kyle Walker and Fabian Delph tucked inside to
join the midfield. With wingers Raheem Sterling
and Leroy Sane stretching the pitch out wide, De
Bruyne and Silva had the freedom to roam and
exploit the gaps that appeared. Although there
were occasional defensive frailties, City’s intense
pressing meant that they were rarely exposed.City stroll to the title Tactics
Manchester City were streets
ahead of everybody else. They
finished on100 points,19 ahead
of Manchester United in second,
having scored106 goals. They
remained unbeaten in the league
until mid-January and could have
confirmed the title in early April
at home to United, only to suffer
a shock defeat. Instead, the title
was confirmed a week later when
United surprisingly lost to
West Bromwich Albion.
Gavin Hamilton, June 2018
Campeones...Manchester City players celebrate with their trophy
Strongest XI
31
2
17
7
30
25
21
10
4
19
18
PEP GUARDIOLA