Manchester City's manager, Pep Guardiola, has expressed immense confidence in his squad as they display signs of recovering their top form. After a somewhat shaky start to the season, the team has demonstrated resilience and an improving dynamic, leading to a string of positive results.

City's journey this season has been a tale of two phases. They faced early setbacks with back-to-back losses in the Premier League in August. However, Guardiola's squad has since gone on an impressive run, remaining unbeaten in eight games across all competitions. This resurgence has propelled them to second place in the Premier League, closely trailing Arsenal by three points.

Guardiola's confidence stems from the noticeable improvements he's witnessed in his team's performances. "When we have played just eight Premier League games and two Champions League games, you have the feeling that every game is better than the previous one," Guardiola stated. He emphasizes that while it's early in the season, the team is consistently striving to improve. "I'm incredibly confident with the players and the team...these players are capable," he added.

Echoing his manager's sentiments, City midfielder Nico Gonzalez highlighted the positive atmosphere within the team. "You can see in the last month, month-and-a-half, that there's a different feeling. Everything is going well...now I feel like we can do great things," Gonzalez said.

Manchester City's recent 2-0 victory over Everton showcased their growing confidence and effectiveness. Erling Haaland's brace secured the win, further solidifying his exceptional form this season. Haaland has scored 11 goals in Manchester City's eight Premier League games. It is only the third instance of a player reaching 10+ goals in a side's first eight games of a season in the competition, with the Norwegian himself already responsible for the first two.

Nico O'Reilly's performance against Everton also drew praise. O'Reilly's quality stood out, and lifted his team when they needed it. Phil Foden also delivered an encouraging performance against Everton. Foden provided the pass that split open the game, sending Nico O'Reilly in down the left flank.

Beyond domestic success, Manchester City is also focused on the UEFA Champions League. After being held at AS Monaco this month, they are aiming to return to winning ways in the competition. Guardiola anticipates a challenging match against Villarreal, acknowledging their strong team. "When you see a Marcelino team without knowing that Marcelino is on the bench, you recognise his style of play," said Guardiola.

Guardiola has also noted a change in his team's "body language," which he believes is a key factor in their revitalized form. He pinpointed the 3-0 win against Manchester United as a turning point, where the team began to display a new level of unity and determination. Guardiola was full of praise for winger Jeremy Doku following the victory over Burnley.

Tactically, Guardiola has shown a willingness to adapt. While maintaining their emphasis on possession, City has incorporated more direct transitional attacks. This approach leverages the speed and movement of players like Erling Haaland, creating a potent attacking force. Guardiola has used transition tactics as "an option" for Manchester City.

Several Manchester City players have also been performing well on international duty. Erling Haaland scored a hat-trick for Norway in their World Cup qualifier against Israel. Rúben Dias, Matheus Nunes, and Bernardo Silva featured for Portugal in their World Cup Qualifiers. Nathan Aké and Tijjani Reijnders helped the Netherlands secure crucial victories.

With a blend of tactical flexibility, individual brilliance, and a renewed sense of team spirit, Manchester City appears to be regaining its status as a dominant force. Guardiola's confidence reflects the positive trajectory of his team as they navigate the challenges of the Premier League and Champions League.