And we kick-off Monday’s Media Watch with a warning for our rivals – both at home and abroad - from Bernardo Silva, who says City have an unquenchable thirst for success.
The Portuguese midfielder was amongst five different goal-scorers in Saturday’s superb 5-0 thrashing of Burnley – and he told the Daily Star Pep Guardiola’s side are desperate to maintain that momentum in the Ukraine and beyond.
Marc Williams writes: “Pep Guardiola’s side, who face Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League on Tuesday, have a staggering plus-23 goal difference after just nine games to sit first in the top-flight.
“While Liverpool and Chelsea are still unbeaten as well, Silva is confident City will continue their fine form and claim more silverware this term.
READ: Which TV channel is Shakhtar Donetsk v Man City on
WATCH: City 5-0 Burnley | Brief highlights
The Portuguese midfielder said: “Usually after an international break, most teams lose a little bit of the way they play but we were really focused and hungry for more titles and more wins.
“The team has had a fantastic start and are top of the league and in the Champions League we want to beat Shakhtar and go top of the group.
“And we are through in the Carabao Cup, so it’s been a great start. We need to keep it this way.”
John Stones was another to catch the eye with a fine individual display against the Clarets.
The England central defender, who has already been deployed in midfield to impressive effect for the Blues this season, demonstrated his versatility again at the weekend, this time operating at right-back against Burnley.
And, reporting in the Daily Mail, Jack Gaughan believes the assured Etihad display was yet further demonstration of Stones’ unique qualities.
Gaughan writes: “Pep Guardiola has made it known to friends that he has never encountered a defender like John Stones before.
“To the Manchester City manager’s mind Stones should grow into one of the world’s finest, and the tools at his disposal are a specialist subject for Guardiola while holding court with his staff.
READ: Ederson makes it five in a row for City
GALLERY: Picture Special | City jet out to the Ukraine
“City sources are adamant that the 24-year-old ‘ticks every box’ like no other they’ve seen at his age but the management team are aware of how he needs to be coached. They talk about two key things: concentration and the ability to shake off mistakes.
“That is partly why Stones is being used as the utility man this season. He has played in three different starting positions already, at right back during this rout but spending much of his time in midfield.
“Guardiola is not blasé enough to use the Premier League as a tactical playground — Stones is filling in where required, here because Kyle Walker was injured — but argued it is helping his development.
“‘It helps him become more intelligent, to understand the game more. He also has more chances to play because I need him in other positions,’ Guardiola said.
“‘It’s good for young players to learn different positions. I think he can play holding midfield because we only have Fernandinho.’
“Who knows what his starting position was?’ Vincent Kompany grinned. ‘He’s a top, top centre half already. But he’s an even better one in the making.’”
Meanwhile, speaking to the Manchester Evening News, skipper Kompany pinpointed how the Blues’ work on turning defence into attack as quickly as possible was paying rich dividends.
The MEN’s Joe Bray scribes: “Although it was City’s attacking players who stood out on the day, Kompany believes the whole team should take credit for the performance against a tough Burnley side.
“Speaking after the game, the Belgian central defender said: “We work hard to try to improve everything. What I say is that you might look at the five goals and say ‘how good is the attack’? It’s a mistake, it’s the team who build it up from the back.”
“The Belgian, who has been at City for ten years, added that recovering possession from the front and turning defence into attack quickly is something the squad has worked on in training.
READ: Pep Guardiola hails Blues’ backline
WATCH: Mahrez reflects on Burnley win
“If you look at the fact we didn’t concede today and say ‘how good is the defence?’ that’s a mistake too.,” he continued.
“The strikers press from the front and make sure we recover the ball fast so we don’t concede too many chances.
“So that’s what we’ve worked on, making sure the team can play both sides of the game.”
Rounding off a highly successful weekend, Manchester City then maintained their fine run of form in the Women’s Super League by inflicting a 6-0 thrashing over Brighton on the south coast.
And BBC Sport Online were left impressed by the ruthless manner in which Nick Cushing’s side went about their work.
The Beeb reported: “Georgia Stanway scored a hat-trick as Manchester City climbed to second in the Women’s Super League by thrashing Brighton & Hove Albion.
“The teenage forward opened the scoring with a 20-yard drive before Caroline Weir stroked home Nikita Parris’ cross.
“Stanway completed her hat-trick after the break with a long-range effort which dipped under Marie Hourihan and a fierce shot from the edge of the box.
“Parris headed in a fifth before Claire Emslie’s shot completed the rout.”
“City, who have now scored 13 goals in their past two games after thrashing West Ham 7-1 last weekend, climb above Birmingham in the table but remain one point behind leaders Arsenal having played a game more.”
