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Manchester City season review: October

By Jason Bardwell

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 14: General view inside the stadium shows the scoreboard during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Stoke City at Etihad Stadium on October 14, 2017 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 14: General view inside the stadium shows the scoreboard during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Stoke City at Etihad Stadium on October 14, 2017 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) /
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What a season it’s been for the Blues. Records have fallen and the Premier League has been won in a very special way. We have seen some highs. We have seen some lows. Questions on Pep’s style of play answered and, for the most part, domination of the English game.

For the next few days, I will look back at a month of the season. Yesterday I looked at our undefeated September run, scoring seventeen goals in the process. October would see progression in the League Cup (just) and a battle between two similarly attacking European sides as City hosted Napoli.

Games in October didn’t start until the middle of the month. An International break came at the worst possible time after City dominated the reigning Premier League holders. Hosting Stoke City the blues, minus some key players, went 3-0 up in half an hour.

There was then somewhat of a collapse from the City though, as goals were conceded minutes either side the half. However, City would go on another goal spree. Three goals coming in the space of seven minutes following Jesus’ second.

Finishing the game 7-2 was a great confidence booster for the meeting three days later. The third Champions League game would see a stylish Napoli side visit the Etihad. After the game, Pep described them as one of the best he’d ever faced and it needed a perfect performance from the Blues.

Two quick goals from the home team deceived us fans into believing it would be easier than it proved to be. With Napoli enjoying 46% of the possession, and only three shots less on target, it was the toughest City had faced to date.

So when Fernandinho conceded a penalty with a little over fifteen minutes left, things got nervy at the Etihad. Diawara converted the penalty to halve the deficit, but City would see the game out to keep their perfect start to the European campaign.

The visit of Burnley a few days later saw Sergio Aguero equal the clubs all time goal scoring record. Drawing level with Eric Brook with his penalty on the 30th minute. Bernardo Silva was berated after drawing the foul, although it was clear he’d been caught.

At the end, Burnley didn’t have  a single shot on target, while City enjoyed 77% possession. Still, they made hard work of it, two quick goals in the 73rd and 75th minute had the result fit the domination.

A change of competition three days later as Wolves would visit, and Pep rotated. Bravo, again, performed heroics to keep City in the competition. Gundogan was a welcome return to the lineup, as did the appearance of a squirrel prior to kick off. Winning 4-1 on penalties, Bravo saved in the shootout, as he did in normal time.

Next: Season Review: September

City would finish the month with victory away to the Baggies. That would see City top of the table, five points ahead of Manchester United, with a goal difference of plus twenty-nine heading out of October.

Raheem Sterling had netted nine times in all competitions and City boasted ten different scorers in the League, and five different names on the score sheet in three European games.