Jump directly to the content
Iron Bru

Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne warns Premier League title rivals that his team can score goals with their eyes closed

Pep Guardiola's side scoring an average of three goals per game and are on course to smash the season record of 103

MANCHESTER CITY’S title rivals better look away now.

Kevin De Bruyne reckons the leaders have players who can score with their eyes shut.

 Kevin De Bruyne has warned any title rivals that Man City can score with their eyes closed
6
Kevin De Bruyne has warned any title rivals that Man City can score with their eyes closedCredit: PA:Empics Sport

The Belgian said it with half a smile, of course — but the stats are certainly blinding for Pep Guardiola’s men right now.

In 15 games in all competitions this season, City have already rattled in an eye-watering 45 goals.

So an average of three per game, meaning their win at The Hawthorns on Saturday was just another day at the office.

They even did it while leaving Sergio Aguero, the Premier League's deadliest-ever marksman in terms of minutes per goal, sat on the bench.


SUN BETS: BET £10 GET A FREE £30 BET


 The Belgian has been the heartbeat of City's rise to the top of the table
6
The Belgian has been the heartbeat of City's rise to the top of the tableCredit: Getty Images

A tally of 35 goals in ten games in the league is better than anything Guardiola’s all-conquering Barcelona could manage.

At this rate the record for a season of 103, set by Chelsea in 2009-10, will be obliterated.


SUMMER SALES Manchester City will make a move Alexis Sanchez next summer


And De Bruyne, who has been the architect of more than his fair share, is convinced there are plenty more to come.

He said: “We go out knowing we will create chances. As long as we do that we will always score goals. That’s because we have guys who can score with their eyes closed.”

 City are scoring an average of three goals per game in the Premier League
6
City are scoring an average of three goals per game in the Premier LeagueCredit: PA:Empics Sport

City’s tally of 28 points from ten matches equals the best ever start to a Premier League season — previously matched in 2011 by City themselves and Chelsea five years earlier.

While Shrewsbury’s defeat at Peterborough in League One means Guardiola’s men are now the only unbeaten team in the country.

That led to more talk of them going through the season without losing — as Arsenal did in 2004.

But, like his manager, KDB does not expect it to happen, saying: “I don’t think it will be possible. The level of competition is so high, in every team.

“It’s not like, with all respect, ten or 15 years ago where you have a couple of teams that won’t win against the top teams. Now, every game is hard and you need to be mentally there.

“And with the Champions League and all the cups, there will be a game where maybe we are a little bit less and maybe lose.

“The amount of games we play is massive and there could be another 40 or 50 to go.”

 The league leaders are on course to smash the current season record of 103
6
The league leaders are on course to smash the current season record of 103Credit: Reuters
West Brom 2-3 Manchester City: Goals from Leroy Sane, Fernandinho and Raheem Sterling earn eighth straight win

That unbeaten record will be under threat this week with a trip to face Napoli before a home match against Arsenal.

Yet City will go into those games with confidence as they continue to break records in their electric start to the season.

On Saturday they completed 844 passes against the Baggies — the most by any team in a Prem match for 13 years.

Their run of 21 games unbeaten in all competitions, ­dating back to the FA Cup semi-final defeat to the Gunners in April, is also a club record.

Guardiola though still believes his team can step up.

Asked if he enjoys watching this side play, he said: “Yes, because of course I want more.

“Against West Brom we made mistakes at the front and at the back, but we have won a lot of games over the last two months.”

 Players like Leroy Sane are proving that City can grab goals from anywhere
6
Players like Leroy Sane are proving that City can grab goals from anywhereCredit: Getty Images

Raheem Sterling, 22, and Leroy Sane, 21, grabbed a goal apiece here and have been tearing teams apart down the flanks.

Yet Pep said: “They still have a big, big gap to improve. I would like to tell them to be calm. Scoring goals is so important, playing well is so important, but they can do better.

“I don’t have any doubts about that, because they are still young and we will take the opportunity to work with them and maybe we can help.”

City did make errors here. They led through Sane but let Jay Rodriguez run on to Gareth Barry’s long ball and fire an equaliser.

 Raheem Sterling is among City's top-scoring performers this season
6
Raheem Sterling is among City's top-scoring performers this seasonCredit: Reuters

Strikes from Fernandinho and Sterling put the visitors back in charge before Nicolas Otamendi’s late error gifted a goal to Baggies sub Matt Phillips.

But Albion’s former Arsenal defender Kieran Gibbs had a warning for his old club, who travel to the Etihad next Sunday.

Asked if this City side are the best team he has faced, Gibbs said: “I think so. Collectively they are strong everywhere.

“It’s tough to play against. The way they move the ball, the way the players move ­position. It’s hard to keep track.”

And it’s not just the Baggies who are feeling bewildered. The whole of the Prem is struggling to keep track of City right now.

Topics