1Brilliant Bernardo
Bernardo Silva was the name on many fans’ lips as they exited the Etihad Stadium on Saturday after the Portuguese ace’s wonderful display against the Cottagers.
His technique and control stand out even among this exalted company. Twice he plucked high balls out of the air with incredible skill to draw ‘oohs’ from the crowd, and the first time he followed up his exquisite touch by sending Raheem Sterling racing through on goal.
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WATCH: Man City v Fulham brief highlights
Even though that chance hit the bar, Bernardo showed he possesses strength as well as skill to hold off the Fulham defence in the build-up to David Silva’s goal.
Normally stationed on the flanks, Bernardo also illustrated he can excel through the middle here just like his namesake David. A joy to watch from start to finish.
2Absolutely Fab
England star Fabian Delph marked his first start of the season at club level by producing a full-blooded performance from left-back.
Fresh from an appearance with the Three Lions in midweek, the Yorkshireman thundered into tackles and went marauding down the wing when possible and he brought both intensity and tempo to City’s performance.
Delph’s 93% pass completion rate showed was second only to Aymeric Laporte’s (96%) on the day too and with a packed fixture schedule now awaiting the Blues, Fabian could well prove a key figure as the campaign progresses.
3Leroy’s back in business
New dad Leroy Sane made his first start of the season… and took just 90 seconds to register on the scoresheet.
Prior to Saturday, it had been a frustrating start to the season for Sane but the German’s impressive all-round display demonstrated just why he was voted the PFA Young Player of the Season
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GALLERY: Man City v Fulham match gallery
The expectations are understandably high for a player with so much raw talent and hopefully the confidence he will glean from his goal and impact will help to kick-start his 2018/19 campaign.
4Action Stations
After a relatively gentle start to the season in terms of the frequency of fixtures, the matches are coming thick and fast now.
Lyon visit the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday in our opening Champions League group game before subsequent trips to Cardiff and Oxford in the league and Carabao Cup respectively.
The likelihood is that boss Pep Guardiola will start using more of his squad, which made it all the more heartening to see the fine form of Delph, Sane and the ever-combative Nicolas Otamendi to name but three.
The General also made his first start of the season and barely put a boot wrong against Fulham’s Serbian bulwark Aleksandar Mitrovic.
