Analysis: Manchester City

Pep Guardiola made three changes to the team that beat Arsenal in the opening weekend of the Premier League season. Captain Vincent Kompany made his first appearance of the campaign, in place of right-back Kyle Walker. David Silva and Gabriel Jesus were also added to the starting line-up, replacing Riyad Mahrez and Raheem Sterling in a new-look formation.

Manchester City formed an impressive 3-5-2 structure when in possession, with Benjamin Mendy and, perhaps surprisingly, Bernardo Silva in the wing-back roles. Ilkay Gundogan and David Silva supported the pair by occupying the inside channels, as John Stones and Aymeric Laporte also moved high from the back line in support.

After a somewhat unsteady start, City soon displayed control and firmly took hold of the game by dominating possession, with David Silva and Bernardo Silva starting to combine expertly along the right side. Huddersfield adopted a brave man-marking system, initially pressing high when Ederson was restarting the play in an attempt to reduce the free spaces within their opponents’ half, but City’s midfield unit responded by spreading horizontally. David Silva and Gundogan ensured the central lane was vacant – enabling Ederson to send passes into the feet of strikers Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus.

While this carved open Huddersfield’s pressing units, who reverted into a deep low block for the remainder of the opening period, City were struggling to penetrate a compact defence. Nonetheless, with the Terriers unable to break out when the hosts were in possession, City could afford to build with patience.

With the back line of Kompany, Stones and Laporte positioned incredibly high, City formed a horseshoe structure around Huddersfield, giving the away side no chance of a breakaway. Again, the positioning of wing-backs Bernardo Silva and Mendy enabled them to attack both around and through the lines, with David Silva and Gundogan maintaining positions within the inside channel.

With 25 minutes on the clock, Aguero opened his account for the season, delightfully lobbing the ball over an onrushing Ben Hamer in goal. City typically set up with three players very high to create more space for a short build from the goalkeeper, but this time only Aguero threatened the defence in behind. This naturally lured the entire Huddersfield team bar one up the pitch, leaving Aguero with only one defender to beat. A pinpoint goal kick from Ederson sent his forward through on goal; as the goalkeeper charged out, the Argentina international turned back before expertly chipping his side ahead.

It wasn’t long before City added their second and third goals, as their attacking play became increasingly incisive. With Huddersfield behind and now committing to a higher press, City duly exploited the gaps in a previously compact midfield unit. Mendy surged forward and Gabriel Jesus eventually got his name on the scoresheet with a powerful low drive towards the near post. Aguero then grabbed his second of the afternoon, making the most of Hamer spilling Mendy’s first-time cross.

Guardiola will have been frustrated at seeing Huddersfield grab a goal back shortly before half-time, but the hosts reacted by intelligently maintaining possession to prevent any attacking momentum before the interval. In the six minutes between Huddersfield scoring and the half-time whistle, the away side had only four touches of the ball. It was an excellent demonstration from City in the art of managing a game.

The Terriers had no response to a goal-filled first half, and just a few minutes into the second period David Silva’s superb free-kick put the game to bed. Mendy continued to prove a menace, too. His first-time crosses from the left channel consistently disrupted the Huddersfield back line. With City quick to switch the ball, gaps were readily available for the French international to slide balls across just as Huddersfield were adapting their positioning.

Aguero was unlucky to strike the post from distance, but Mendy soon played his part in helping his teammate score the ninth Premier League hat-trick of his career. The left-back provided the delivery, as Aguero expertly flicked the ball into the far corner. Terence Kongolo’s own goal late on confirmed an emphatic, convincing win for the reigning champions.