Blues continue to push up standards in hunt for fourth title on the bounce

IT doesn't feel like City have been quite as good this season.

- SIMON BAJKOWSKI

That is, of course, relative, coming from a year where they became just the second English team in history to win a Treble. Other factors have to be taken into consideration too, such as long-term injuries to Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne.

Pep Guardiola would probably disagree too, having criticised reactions that he saw as over the top when City went through a winless streak earlier in the season. 'Quite similar' is how the manager has responded whenever comparisons have been made to the play this year and before.