Manchester City’s fine form continued at the weekend, but they left it very late against Wolves.
John Stones popped up right at the death to score a winner at Molineux, and there was controversy about the goal.
Bernardo Silva was initially deemed to be interfering with Jose Sa, but the goal was eventually awarded after referee Chris Kavanagh was sent to the pitchside monitor
Manchester City have now taken 20 points from a possible 24.
Considering they have been without Rodri and Kevin De Bruyne for most of the season, that is a very good return and shows City will surely be there or thereabouts competing for the title at the end of the season.
For Jamie Carragher, City are still the team to beat, as he highlighted one major issue with Arsenal at the moment.
Carragher says Arsenal’s disciplinary problems could cost them, as he backs Man City
There was a real surprise at the weekend as Arsenal lost against Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium.
The Gunners were beaten 2-0 by the Cherries, after having William Saliba sent off in the first-half.
The Frenchman was given his marching orders for hauling down Evanilson as the last man, after a poor ball back from Leandro Trossard.
It was Arsenal’s third red card of the season and Carragher believes this is a major problem for Arsenal, with the Sky Sports pundit claiming Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City are still the team to beat this season.
He said (quoted by Sky Sports): “To get three red cards in the first eight games of the season is really poor. They may feel a little bit hard done by on certain issues, but when I look at all the situations, they’re deserved red cards. I don’t think they could really argue too much, and it’s cost them.
“You think of the positions they found themselves in. They were beating Brighton at home when the red card comes, they were beating Manchester City away when the red card comes, and it was level at Bournemouth.
“So they’ve dropped points in all the games from the situation that they found themselves in, 11 v 11. It’s a huge problem.”
“This has got to stop. You’re talking about a team in Manchester City that are already three points ahead [of Arsenal] – you can’t afford to let someone like that get away from you.”
Pundit Tony Cascarino also said recently that Man City are still the team to beat this season in the title ace.
City must continue to grind out results
At the moment, it is important that City just find a way in games.
They are not playing to their best level right now, which is perhaps to be expected given the absences of De Bruyne and Rodri.
So during this navigational period, City just need to pick up results and do their job.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 1 |  LiverpoolLiverpool | 8 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 15 | 3 | 12 | 21 |
| 2 |  Man CityManchester City | 8 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 19 | 9 | 10 | 20 |
| 3 |  ArsenalArsenal | 8 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 15 | 8 | 7 | 17 |
Arsenal have made a very surprising start. For Mikel Arteta’s side to have picked up three red cards so far is shocking.
It is a great chance for them to win the league this season, with Jurgen Klopp having left Liverpool and Rodri out for the whole season for City.
Gary Neville said recently that Pep Guardiola would love the challenge from Arsenal, but the Gunners are already faltering a little.
Their current disciplinary issue is undoubtedly good news for City, who’ll hope it lasts for as long as possible.
