Guardiola call shows new hierarchy
There was surprise to see Ederson on the bench for Manchester City against West Ham.
The goalkeeper may have received a very public telling-off from his manager after their first goal against Arsenal, yet he has also answered many critics during the recent Champions League tie with Bayern Munich and had started every league game previously this season before Stefan Ortega took the gloves on Wednesday.
Ederson's rest may only be temporary but his streak of league games is firmly over, meaning he cedes his place at the top of the table for consecutive league starts. In his absence, Rodri now leads the way with 25 followed by Jack Grealish on 15 and Ruben Dias on 12.
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All eyes on the Leeds teamsheet to see if they can keep their runs going.
Ake and De Bruyne
Nathan Ake returned to the team against West Ham after missing a few matches with a hamstring injury. Kevin De Bruyne has also missed two with an issue but was back in training this week. In an ideal world, both will be in the City XI at the Bernabeu next week.
In order for that to happen, Guardiola will have to decide what is the best course of action to take against Leeds. Fundamentally, is rhythm or rest best for the pair if they are to be fully firing in Madrid?
The answer may be different for the two players.
Full strength
The last two games, together with Arsenal's demolition of (an admittedly woeful) Chelsea and Brighton beating United, should be enough to make it clear that the title race is anything but over. Fulham made it really difficult for City at the weekend and then the Blues were sluggish at home to West Ham before finally pulling clear in the second half.
Leeds have a new manager in Sam Allardyce and while they have been one of the worst teams in the division and their form is terrible, nothing can be taken for granted in the Premier League. The idea that beating Arsenal meant that City could now rest all of their best players in the league to focus on the Champions League has very much been put to bed, and that will even factor into the decisions on Ake and De Bruyne.
Haaland chasing endless records
Will we ever reach a point where Erling Haaland is not chasing records?
Just a day after his goal against West Ham meant he has more than anyone ever before in a single Premier League season, the club gave a reminder that Tommy Johnson actually managed 38 league goals back in 1929. There is also the infamous Dixie Dean landmark figure in all competitions to go for.
If it seems like Haaland is equalling or setting a new record every single game, it is because there are so many to go at.
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