The 4-0 win over Swansea, courtesy of goals from David Silva (2), Kevin De Bruyne and Sergio Aguero, means City now have 49 points from 17 Premier League matches.
That’s the best start to an English top-flight campaign since the Football Association was established in 1888; better, even, than Tottenham’s double-winning side of 1960-61.
It also means City are the first team to win 15 successive Premier League matches, overtaking Arsenal, who managed 14 between February and August 2002.
Pep Guardiola isn’t just raising City’s standards; he’s redefining the English game.
In truth, City hadn’t been in top form going into this game. Late wins over Huddersfield, Southampton and West Ham demonstrated our fighting qualities but fell way short of our performances earlier in the season, and the win over United, although comprehensive, didn’t see us play our most expansive game.
But that is perhaps the scary thought for City’s rivals. During a period in which we have failed to reach the heights set earlier in the season, we have still managed to establish a 11-point lead at the top of the table.
However, the performance over Swansea saw City return to top form. The Blues were quicker to the ball and more inventive in possession than their opponents. Swansea, struggling near the foot of the table, were completely overwhelmed and managed very few sustained periods of possession, such was City’s desire to win the ball back at every opportunity.
It was a complete performance.
Aguero set the tone when he beat three players with a superb jinking run before firing into the sidenetting after five minutes and Fernandinho’s volley from the edge of the area was saved brilliantly by Lukasz Fabianski low down to the ‘keeper’s right.
Guardiola may have made four changes, but his side looked bright and vibrant in the early stages.
Aguero flashed a close-range header over the bar and Nicolas Otamendi volleyed over at the back post, as City started to turn the screw, before Silva gave City the lead with his third in three games, placing the ball past Fabianski with an impudent flick.
De Bruyne scored City’s second with an inventive free-kick that went past Fabianski at the far post, meaning has now been involved in 13 goals (five goals, eight assists) in his 14 Premier League appearances since the start of September.
Two goals to the good at the break and the home side had barely entered our half.
How Silva didn’t make it three in the opening minute of the second half will forever remain a mystery, his side-footed effort when one-on-one with the ‘keeper somehow going wide.
But the Spanish midfielder did make it 3-0 after 52 minutes when he brilliantly scooped the ball over Fabianski after good play from Raheem Sterling.
Aguero flashed one wide after a fine team move that saw the home fans rise to applaud the quality of the football they were watching - there is no higher praise than that – before Ederson made a superb save when Roque Mesa’s effort took a wicked deflection off Fabian Delph, the Brazilian somehow changing direction to keep the home side at bay.
City then played keep ball, denying their opponents possession. Swansea, chasing shadows, tired and Aguero added a fourth when he sped past three defenders before placing the ball firmly to Fabianski’s right.
This was City in clinical form, a side unrelenting in their desire to go forward and score goals. It’s a pleasure to watch.
Drink it in. You’re witnessing something very special.
Man of the Match: David Silva
Quite simply a genius. Two goals and the orchestrator of everything good City did. A remarkable display.
What it means
City have now won a record 15-consecutive Premier League matches.
The previous record, held by Arsenal, was set between February and August 2002.
It also means the Blues have now made the best-ever start to a top-flight season in England, eclipsing the great Tpttenham side of 1960/61.
City remain 11 points clear at the top of the Premier League table after 17 games.
Up next
City host Tottenham on Saturday, before a trip to Leicester in the Carabao Cup three days later.
