Comment: Kyle Walker genetics keep Man City running smoothly

PEP GUARDIOLA had said in the build up to Saturday’s match how important Kyle Walker was to Manchester City. This fifth straight league victory offered yet more proof.

Bayern Munich had been sniffing around the 33-year-old in the summer, but on Thursday, in an amusing video spoof of the Wolf of Wall Street movie, Walker announced that he was staying at the Etihad, having signed a new deal until 2026.

The following day, Guardiola said how crucial it was to keep Walker, especially having lost Ilkay Gundogan, Riyad Mahrez and Aymeric Laporte this summer. City fought to keep the England star out of Bayern’s clutches, with his teammates, Guardiola revealing, crucial in persuading him to stay.

As City recovered from going a goal down at the London Stadium to notch an important win against a stubborn and improving West Ham, Walker was as usual everywhere on the pitch. Racing upfield to start attacks, chasing back to snuff out counters, winning tackles, making passes count, cajoling and demanding more from his teammates.

In short, typical Walker.

There were numerous examples of the blistering pace that has been a key part of Walker’s game ever since he burst onto the scene at Sheffield United. One in particular saw him race down the flank, brutally outstripping West Ham’s defence, before a pinpoint cross picked out Erling Haaland, only for goalkeeper Alphonse Areola to pull off another outstanding save.

Together with Rodri and the increasingly influential Julian Alvarez, Walker was the glue that held City together in the anxious early parts of this match as West Ham fought them toe to toe for more than an hour, though it was Jeremy Doku’s first goal for the club that sparked the revival.

West Ham had paraded old favourite Paolo