Pep Guardiola relished his side’s ruthlessness, as City romped to a 5-0 triumph over Crystal Palace.

Pep Guardiola relished his side’s ruthlessness, as City romped to a 5-0 triumph over Crystal Palace.

City became the first side to score five or more in three consecutive top-flight games in the same season since Blackburn in the 1958/59 campaign, with a superb second half display at the Etihad Stadium.

Leroy Sane opened the scoring just before the break and created two assists as the floodgates opened in the second half.

Raheem Sterling bagged a brace, while Sergio Aguero edged closer to breaking City’s all-time goalscoring record and substitute Fabian Delph topped off the win with the pick of the bunch – a fabulous curling effort into the top corner.

The opening half an hour had proved a fairly even affair, as struggling Palace threatened on the counter-attack, with the Blues finding it difficult to find their recent rampant rhythm.

Sane’s goal restored City’s confidence and Guardiola was impressed with the way his side reverted to their best form.