Pep Guardiola's Man City confidence despite looming problem and clear weakness

Manchester City were 5-4 winners over Fulham on Tuesday night in a dramatic Premier League contest

The latest

Manchester City

headlines on the back of the thrilling 5-4 Premier League victory over Fulham

• Midfield crisis: Pep Guardiola admitted that City are currently facing a significant problem in midfield due to a reliance on Nico Gonzalez and injuries to key players like Rodri and Mateo Kovacic. This lack of depth was highlighted against Fulham, where the team's control quickly deteriorated after Gonzalez was substituted. Read more here.

• Rayan Cherki's rise: Cherki earned immense praise from Guardiola for his composed, possession-keeping performance in the late stages of the chaotic match against Fulham. The manager compared his ability to hold the ball to that of Thiago Alcantara, confirming his introduction was a key strategic move to secure the victory.

• Savinho's call-to-action: In stark contrast to Cherki, fellow winger Savinho was singled out for a lengthy post-match discussion with Guardiola following an appearance marred by poor decisions and inviting pressure on the defence. The manager's clear, one-on-one attention indicates that Savinho needs to improve his focus and tactical decision-making.

• Oscar Bobb's exclusion: Promising forward Bobb has been left out of the matchday squad for consecutive games, signalling a period of reduced importance following a serious leg fracture and a dip in form. Guardiola was blunt about the omission, stating it was simply his decision because other players were better options, reflecting the high competition within the squad.

• Defensive fragility: The team's recent struggles include conceding six goals across two fixtures, suggesting a level of defensive fragility that Guardiola recognises must be rectified. Although the team is still securing wins, the manager understands that this leaky defence is not a sustainable trait for a successful title-winning campaign.

• Title race confidence: Despite the current injury and tactical concerns, Guardiola remains outwardly confident in City's ability to successfully compete in the Premier League title race. He emphasised his extensive experience as the league's longest-serving manager, expressing belief that his side will grow stronger and fight for the top spot with rivals Arsenal over the long course of the season.