Manchester City

John Stones delighted with Manchester City defensive form

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 27 September 2017

Manchester City centre-back John Stones stresses the importance of his side's defensive form after they kept a fifth clean sheet in their last six matches.

Manchester City centre-back John Stones has talked up his side's defensive form following their 2-0 victory over Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday.

City's attack has garnered the most praise in recent weeks, with Pep Guardiola's side having found the back of the net 24 times in their last six games, but they have also kept five clean sheets during that run with only one goal conceded.

Stones is delighted with the team's defensive solidity, having seen it called into question on numerous occasions last season, but stressed the importance of maintaining their form.

"I'm trying to work hard at my game in training, to enjoy my football. It always helps when we're winning and scoring goals and keeping clean sheets. From my perspective, and for the back four and the keeper, keeping clean sheets has been a big target and we've been defensively solid in the Premier League and Champions League," he told reporters.

"It's about carrying that on now. It's a big thing for me and it's as satisfying as the boys up the top scoring. We knew they were a good team. We did our research on them and we knew they could play out from the back. They're one of the first teams that have come to the Etihad and played like that.

"I thought our high pressing was brilliant and we stopped them getting out, which is credit to the boys up top. We knew they were a great side and we showed them a lot of respect. Maybe it could have been five or six nil, but we'll take a 1-0 or 2-0. A win's a win, however the ball goes in the net, and keeping clean sheets is vital."

Manchester City will look to extend their winning streak to eight matches when they travel to champions Chelsea on Saturday.