Man City have a hidden strength no-one is talking about and it could prove pivotal in title battle

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Manchester City beat Burnley 1-0 at Turf Moor on Wednesday night to move top of the Premier League table on goals scored

John Stones' name got an airing from the away end at Turf Moor on Wednesday night but it's the new boys of the Manchester City backline that have helped Pep Guardiola's side to the top of the Premier League table.

While the likes of Rayan Cherki, Erling Haaland and Nico O'Reilly have hit the headlines and the goals in recent weeks, City's five game winning run across three competitions has seen them concede just once. And even that was after a blunder from Gianluigi Donnarumma against Arsenal last weekend.

In a season where goal difference could prove the deciding factor and Arsenal's defence has been lauded as best in class, City have conceded only three goals fewer than the Gunners in the league and registered just one fewer clean sheet.

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Against Burnley on Wednesday night the visitors were profligate in front of goal, missing countless chances to extend their winning margin in a result that could have given Arsenal fresh impetus given the Gunners may have feared a goal difference deficit.

But goal difference works both ways and City have found a partnership in Abdukodir Khusanov and Marc Guehi that have proved rock steady in the heart of the defence. It's easy at times to forget that this City side is shorn of Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias while Stones, now fit again, has missed huge chunks of the campaign.

Khusanov has grown into a calm and commanding Premier League presence, with his pace a huge asset and his attitude and willingness to learn endearing him to manager and fans.

Guehi has brought added leadership to the ranks with the England international having captained Crystal Palace, while his quality on the ball has enabled City to break lines from the back.

And Stones, along with Nathan Ake, have provided an experienced hand from the sidelines when they've not been required on the pitch.

Early in the second half at Turf Moor Guardiola dissected a passage of play where Burnley threatened with a long ball forward and a flick on which required a timely intervention from Matheus Nunes.

The City boss took his seat and animatedly pointed out his thoughts to Ake and Stones on the bench. Those two experienced heads could both be departing in the summer but both have played an important role this season despite limited opportunities.

Ake came into the side for Carabao Cup final and performed admirably and while injuries have limited Stones' minutes, he's still been an important presence at the training ground and a sounding board for the new boys to learn from.

This is a player who has done it all at City in a glittering career. He's not played the matches he would have liked this term but has been a voice of experience behind the scenes, offering advice and encouragement to the academy prospects who step into first team training.

It was perhaps notable that as the City players took in the applause of the away end at full time, Guardiola was deep in conversation with Ake.

The Blues have a balance at the back that is going under the radar. It could prove pivotal in the coming weeks.