As half-time approached on Saturday with West Ham leading Manchester City 1-0 and enjoying a spell of possession, a seemingly innocuous piece of the action – or rather, inaction – summed up the problem with Pep Guardiola’s side this season.

Ilkay Gundogan pinched the ball off Michail Antonio midway into the City half and began striding forward with purpose. The West Ham midfield was caught ahead of the ball, and with Sergio Aguero, Riyad Mahrez, and Raheem Sterling all beginning their runs, the counterattack looked on...Read more at Ghanabetnet