LEAGUE LEADERS
How Guardiola has transformed Manchester City
London — A full 11 points clear atop the Premier League and on an unprecedented 16-game winning run, Manchester City have produced one of the most stupendous half-seasons in English football history. At the same stage last season, City were seven points behind ultimate champions Chelsea in third place and finished the campaign 15 points off the pace. The boldest move manager Pep Guardiola made in his maiden season at the Etihad Stadium — axing long-serving goalkeeper Joe Hart — proved to be his least successful. Hart’s replacement, Chile international Claudio Bravo, was ill-suited to the English game and his error-strewn displays cost City points. Guardiola took a punt in the close season, authorising a £35m move to sign uncapped Brazilian goalkeeper Ederson from Benfica, but it has been a masterstroke. The 23-year-old is a sturdy presence between the posts and, perhaps more importantly, his superb distribution has enhanced City’s capacity to play out from the back. After City shell...
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