It was back in 1961-62 that City last won four times on the trot at the beginning of a campaign. Leicester, Ipswich and Fulham twice were the victims back then and there is a striking similarity to this season with hitman Joe Hayes scoring in each of that quartet of matches, a feat mirrored by Emmanuel Adebayor.
The run ended at Maine Road with a defeat to Burnley and the season didn’t finish on a high note with the Les McDowall managed Blues ending the campaign in 12th position.
Fans have to scroll back an awful lot further to find five opening wins in succession. It was 1912-13 when Ernest Magnall’s men amassed four clean sheets in a quintet of victories over Notts County, Manchester United, Aston Villa, Liverpool and Bolton Wanderers before only managing a draw with Sheffield United. The team finished sixth.
And just for the curious out there, the best ever start to a season in terms of consecutive league games won came in the 19th century.
It was back in 1897-98 in Division Two when Gainsborough Town, Darwen, Loughborough Town (twice), Blackpool, Woolwich Arsenal, and Grimsby were all sent packing in a seven game winning streak. It was ended by a 1-1 draw at Newton Heath and City finished third that season before winning the title the following year.
