Pep Guardiola still has Man City questions to ponder despite strong start to season

On the face of it, Manchester City have enjoyed an impressive start to the Premier League season.

Pep Guardiola's side have so far gone unbeaten in their defence of the league crown, winning five and drawing two of their opening seven matches. City are the division's top scorers - 23 goals - by some margin and have the second-best defensive record (six goals conceded).

Summer signing Erling Haaland is having the kind of impact not even the most optimistic of City fans would have imagined; the 22-year-old has scored a remarkable 11 goals in seven league games.

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Perhaps most tellingly is that City are right up there at the top of the table, something that hasn't always been the case in the early months of recent seasons. The Blues are second, one point behind leaders Arsenal, and in truth look well-equipped to overtake the London side.

However, the league standings and statistics don't necessarily give the full picture. Everyone knows about the issues City have had with falling behind in games and having to miraculously rescue themselves; it's a habit - not a particularly healthy or sustainable one - that has continued into this season from last.

Away at Newcastle and at home to Crystal Palace and Borussia Dortmund, the Blues performed poorly in large spells but somehow managed to get the job done, drawing the former 3-3 after trailing 1-3 and winning the other two.

That's not the only issue though; even in matches in which City have won by comfortable margins, their performances have been a bit off, not as slick or convincing as what Guardiola and his supporters became accustomed to during the two preceding title-winning seasons.

City beat