Bernardo and David can help City win silver

Manchester City dispatched a difficult Fulham side at the weekend. Once again Bernardo Silva was at the heart of everything we did well.

The Portuguese international has already put in several man-of-the-match performances and Saturday saw another.

Having made an unremarkable start to his life in England, he became invaluable in the second half of last season’s record breaking campaign, making more appearances than any other player – something Pep was keen to point out and praise him for.

“It is almost impossible to be more pleased as a manager with him,” he said. “He deserves to play all the minutes he plays. He’s a good example for all of the guys. I don’t forget the behaviour he had last season when he played a lot but didn’t start. I don’t forget that behaviour in front of his teammates. He’s an example.”

Bernardo puts his form down to second season syndrome, having now adapted to the Premier League.

“When you change it’s always more difficult – you have to adapt to the way your team plays, you have to adapt to your team-mates, to the league, to the referees. Obviously I have more confidence, I feel better with the team and I hope I can do better than last season.

“I’m happy because I’m helping the team and that I’m feeling well, I just hope that I can continue this way. I can play either in the centre or wide, I can do whatever the manager thinks is best for the team. It depends on the games, I feel comfortable both ways.

“It was a great start for them (Chelsea and Liverpool), for us as well even though we drew one game. It’s still the beginning, a lot of games to play, we’ll see what happens, but we want to try and win the Premier League.”

One player who’s attitude off the pitch has been questioned lately is Leroy Sane.

The German winger was left out of the World Cup squad and had yet to make a start for the Champions this season.

However, Saturday saw him return to the starting line-up and he did not disappoint, scoring City’s opener.

Whilst Bernardo Silva was impressing, his namesake – and long-time fan favourite – David was scoring his 50th City goal.

The Spaniard was making his 350th appearance for the club so it was fantastic to see him on the scoresheet.

So far the signs are that this season will not be a replica of last when the Centurions blew the rest of the competition away, with Liverpool and Chelsea both having great starts to the season.

Guardiola as always was full of praise for a player who has consistently dazzled the Blues faithful.

“It is a lot of games so he has to be so proud. I think the fans are proud of him but he has to be proud of himself also. To do that in England, to survive in a physical league with his type of play, it shows his intelligence on the pitch. It is a big number.’”

The injury to Sergio Aguero is a concern, but the positive is that it’s his ankle and not a repeat of the problems he’s faced with his knee.

The Argentine has already been tipped to be chasing the Golden Boot this year following his impressive start to the season.

Saturday saw him turn provider with two assists. It was the result of his pressing that gave an opportunity for the Blues to win possession back and score the opening goal.

It’s this sort of play that suggests the arrival of Pep Guardiola has improved not only the likes of youngsters like Phil Foden, but one of our greatest ever players.