The Big Five was the most spectacular number of 2023 as we became the first English side ever to win the Premier League, FA Cup, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup within 12 months.
We’ve played 66 games across all competitions in 2023, winning 47 of them.
But behind that standout success are the statistics that have contributed to our phenomenal year.
Shooting stars
City made it three Premier League titles in a row in May and we have made a strong start to our challenge for a record-breaking fourth crown.
No team has scored more Premier League goals in 2023 than City’s total of 95 with Arsenal the closest on 85 from one game more.
Of course, Erling Haaland has been incredible with 44 goals over the year, more than anyone in the top five leagues in Europe.
And his 55 goal contributions – adding in 11 assists – is also more than anyone else.
City have five players with more than 20 goal contributions, including Riyad Mahrez (10 goals and 11 assists) and Kevin De Bruyne (seven goals, 15 assists), who has not played since August.
The other in the top five are Julian Alvarez (22 goals, 10 assists) and Phil Foden (16 goals, 12 assists).
Big demands
With Pep Guardiola keeping a relatively small but talented squad, his players had a busy 12 months.
Manuel Akanji and Kyle Walker made the most appearances with 58 in total, one ahead of Rodrigo on 57, with Alvarez on 56 and Bernardo Silva on 55.
Ederson played the most minutes with 4,635 in total, with Rodri the most of any outfield player on 4,596.
Akanji and Walker played for 4,541 and 4,451 minutes respectively with Haaland in fifth on 4,364 minutes all together.
Hot Rod
It was sometimes thought that Rodri was an unsung hero but now his brilliance and importance are appreciated much more widely.
The Spanish midfielder had an incredible 2023, capped by his wonderfully-taken winner in the Champions League final victory over Inter.
His ability to stop opponents is key and he led many of our stats for the year with most tackles on 104 - ahead of Bernardo on 86, most interceptions with 50 – ahead of Walker on 42 and possession won on 432, with Walker on 293.
But Rodri is also crucial for us in moving the ball around quickly and he had the most touches with 5,527 – ahead of Akanji on 4,535, made the most passes with 4,503 - ahead of Akanji on 3,735 and made the most number of successful passes into the final third with 1,129 – ahead of Bernardo on 859.
No way through
Only one team conceded fewer Premier League goals than City on 38, and that was Luton Town on 37 from 22 games fewer.
Ruben Dias was a rock at the back, making the most blocks with 25 – four more than Akanji – and most clearances with 108 – 12 more than Nathan Ake.
Of course our backline does more than defend, playing a critical part in starting attacks.
That begins with Ederson who contributed to more expected goals than any other goalkeeper as his ability on the ball continues to be a factor to our success.
Double trouble
England stars Foden and Jack Grealish made a big contribution to land the Big Five according to the statistics.
King of the assists De Bruyne led the way again with 15 assists with Foden on 12 and Grealish 11, although the pair were ahead on expected assists with Jack on 11.43 and Phil on 11.16.
De Bruyne also created the most big chances with 22, just one more than Grealish and four ahead of Foden.
But Grealish created the most chances with 102 – ahead of Foden on 89, while the roles were reversed for successful dribbles with Phil on 87 just one more than Jack.
Winger Jeremy Doku was in third place with 67 dribbles completed despite only joining us in the summer.
