After each game, we dissect interesting facts and figures for both the team and individual players.
Julian Alvarez, Nathan Ake and Phil Foden all fall under the spotlight on this occasion...
Possession: 70%-30%
No surprise that City had the lion’s share of the possession against the Hammers.
The Blues’ possession-based game has been honed over several years and Pep Guardiola’s side rarely see less of the ball than the opposition.
Of course, it’s not about how much of the ball you have, more what you do with it and eventually, City wore down the Hammers and scored three goals without reply.
Lively Alvarez
For the 77 minutes Julian Alvarez was on the pitch, the Argentine forward worked his socks off.
Dropping deep when the situation required, the 23-year-old was a livewire throughout, getting off a couple of long range efforts and providing support for Erling Haaland whenever possible.
Top stuff from a player who already has 16 goals for the Blues in his debut season.
All action Ake
Nathan Ake returned from injury to claim Man of the Match honours against West Ham.
Our versatile Dutch defender was everywhere, rarely putting a foot wrong and even finding time to score the crucial opening goal.
With 53 of his 56 passes finding a team-mate, countless aerial challenges won and a fascinating but ultimately successful duel with the dangerous Jarrod Bowen, Ake showed why he has become an integral member of the first team.
Nathan needs just three more games to equal the 40 games he played for Bournemouth in 2017/18 – the most of his career to date – and four to set a new personal best.
Welcome back, Phil
Phil Foden’s recent surgery has meant he has had to be patient in terms of returning to the starting XI.
While boss Guardiola is slowly easing the England forward back into the fold, Foden will no doubt be itching to get back on the pitch and help his team-mates chase three trophies.
One thing is for sure, Foden will have a huge part to play in the weeks that remain, and if the combined time of 20 minutes (approximately) from the bench against Arsenal and West Ham are anything to go by, he is raring to go.
He assisted Haaland’s late goal in the 4-1 win over the Gunners and against the Hammers, he thumped home a super volley – albeit with a slight deflection – for his 14th goal of the campaign.
Not bad going!
