Manchester City's Home Form Keeps Them Firmly on Course for Premier League Title

After being beaten by Arsenal on Monday night and slipping six points off the top of the Premier League table, Manchester City had a much better day on Saturday as they hammered Sunderland 4-1 at the Etihad Stadium.

With leaders Leicester City losing to Liverpool and Arsenal beaten heavily by Southampton, Manuel Pellegrini’s side find themselves right back in touch at the top in what is turning out to be the most unpredictable of seasons.

They may have lost five times already in the league this season—it’s almost 30 years since a side won the title having suffered five defeats by Christmas—but City’s home record means they are likely to be challenging come the end of the campaign.

This was their 10th win in their last 11 at home. They’ve scored a remarkable 38 goals in that period. It was their 16th win in 20 Premier League games at the Etihad in 2015. The ease with which City tend to roll over middle- to low-ranking Premier League sides on their own patch is perhaps deserving of more credit.

In truth, Sunderland were shambolic, but City played with a freedom and energy that was somewhat surprising after their chastening defeat at the Emirates Stadium on Monday.

City were immediately on the front foot and stayed there throughout the game. They displayed inventiveness and confidence. They had match-winners all across their front line. Sunderland simply couldn’t cope.

"

STATS: All the numbers that mattered at #cityvsafc. #mcfc pic.twitter.com/TKX5VGKiUG

— Manchester City FC (@MCFC) December 26, 2015"

Kevin De Bruyne was perhaps the pick of the lot, scoring one and assisting two with pinpoint deliveries. That’s 10 goals and 11 assists for the Belgian since signing for City in the summer—a remarkable record and a sign of his effectiveness. Jose Mourinho’s record of selling players during his second stint at Chelsea is in need of some dissection.

“That is why we bought Kevin," Pellegrini said afterward. "We knew playing with David [Silva], Yaya [Toure], Kun [Aguero] he can make a difference." Anyone questioning the wisdom of spending £55 million on him has quickly reassessed their position.

He may not be blessed with explosive pace or natural strength, but this is a player who sees the game in vivid detail, who can lift his head and find an inch-perfect through ball or cross with the minimum of fuss.

His delivery for Raheem Sterling’s opener was remarkably accurate, as was his free-kick that saw Wilfried Bony head home. And his goal, scored in the second half, was all about his desire and determination. It capped a fine display.

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Happy for the team again today!!! Blessed 🙌🙌🙌 pic.twitter.com/aq7kcVbtEq

— Wilfried Bony (@wilfriedbony) December 26, 2015"

The one sour note was a recurrence of Vincent Kompany’s calf injury. The defender, key to City’s hopes of silverware, had just returned from am eight-game absence, but his second-half introduction lasted just nine minutes before he pulled up in pain once again.

It’s become a huge concern. Kompany’s injury record is one of consistent calf issues, and without him City struggle to keep clean sheets.

“Vincent is not the best news,” Pellegrini said. “He was ready to return. I did not want him to play the whole game.

“He worked the whole week with normality. We will see tomorrow what the doctor says. The same injury, the same calf.”

Kompany left this emotional message on his Facebook page:

"

Today was a bad day for me.

My body feels invincible—the best it's ever been—but I'm challenged by a number of small and local injuries. It leaves me more frustrated than with any of the 'big' injuries I've had but it's a challenge that I will overcome.

There are worst things in life of course and I never forget that. So I'm definitely not asking anyone to feel sorry for me and I hope you wouldn't anyway. This is a way to communicate my situation to those who maybe deserve answers.

I've made many sacrifices to get where I am today and football is everything to me. This is what I fought for so hard. I want to be the best defender in the world and I want Manchester City and Belgium to become the best club and country in world football. I won't give up that dream. Injuries have and still are preventing me to play my role the way I'd want to but it's not stopping me to progress. I will get on with it and when I do come back.. I will be stronger again.

My mindset stays unchanged, I will fight to get what I deserve, my best years in football.

Lots of love to all of those who support me.

I wish you all the very best for 2016. Let's all together make next year, a wonderful year.

"

Clearly, the City captain is feeling the effects of his persistent injury problems. 

Aside from that significant blow, it was a fine weekend for City, whose home form continues to keep them in contention at the top. 

Rob Pollard is Bleacher Report's lead Manchester City correspondent and will be following the club from a Manchester base throughout the 2015/16 season. All quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow him on Twitter @RobPollard_.