De Bruyne superb as magnificent Manchester City thrash Stoke
Manchester City thrashed Stoke to move clear at the top of the Premier League. Manchester City thrashed Stoke to move clear at the top of the Premier League.
This is all getting a bit ridiculous now, isn't it? Manchester City's tally of 29 goals after eight games is the best in the English top flight since Everton hit 30 in 1894 -- the year City were founded. Pep Guardiola's team, 7-2 winners on Saturday, ripped through Stoke as if they weren't there and once again laid out their credentials as title-contenders.
Positives
City were able to ease through the gears to find the net at will in two spells of total domination. It meant the fans got to see some of the best attacking football the Premier League has ever witnessed and Guardiola was able to get his big stars off the pitch to rest up before the visit of Napoli on Tuesday.
The way City moved the ball going forward was sublime and you felt they could have hit double figures had they not taken their foot off the gas towards the end. This was all without star striker Sergio Aguero, too.
Negatives
It's the first time City have conceded twice in a game this season, although it has to be said it was down to two big slices of bad luck. Fabian Delph almost blocked the first, deflecting it past Ederson in the process, while Kyle Walker could do nothing as Mame Biram Diouf's off-target header hit him to cross the line.
Manager rating out of 10
8 -- Guardiola spoke prematch about being able to keep the momentum for the club before the international break and his team didn't disappoint.
Player ratings (1-10; 10=best. Players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)
GK Ederson, 6 -- There was nothing the goalkeeper could do about the two strikes that deflected past him and he was rarely tested otherwise.
DF Kyle Walker, 8 -- Unlucky to have been credited with an own goal, Walker was a shining example of what makes City tick this season. He powered up and down the right flank in support of Raheem Sterling ahead of him, earning a great assist in the first half, too.
DF John Stones, 9 -- This is the defender City thought they were getting last season. Assured on the ball, composed under pressure and brilliant timing to come away from challenges with the ball, Stones is really hitting the right notes in the absence of Vincent Kompany.
DF Nicolas Otamendi, 8 -- Far more disciplined this season, Otamendi is quietly getting on with business and forming a solid partnership with Stones. He's positionally aware and has, more or less, stopped diving into stupid tackles.
MF Fabian Delph, 7 -- Asked again to play out of position, it was another solid display from the midfielder operating as a makeshift left-back. He did, however, get lost for the first Stoke goal -- though he did almost recover, only to deflect Diouf's shot past Ederson.
MF Fernandinho, 8 -- The Brazilian put in a strong performance to anchor City's midfield, but it was topped off with style as he kept the ball moving to keep his team on the front foot. He crowned off his performance with a sensational long-range effort, in off the crossbar.
MF David Silva, 9 -- What more is there to say about a creative midfielder that continues to impress each week? Once again, his eye for a pass was brilliant, and he worked perfectly with Leroy Sane on the left, with Delph less likely to overlap.
MF Kevin De Bruyne, 10 -- It was another performance from De Bruyne that displayed just how crucial he is to City's attack working. He pressed aggressively, forcing Stoke mistakes, and he ran the show until he was substituted with 25 minutes to play. Three more assists go on his tally, and he's now been involved in 18 goals in his last 18 games -- scoring three and laying off 15.
MF Raheem Sterling, 9 -- Every time the ball was played through for Sterling to run on to, there was panic in the Stoke defence. He was decisive with his passing and he was in the right place to slot home for his goal.
MF Leroy Sane, 9 -- It's hard to believe the winger is still a long way from his prime and is still learning his trade. Once more, he terrified the opposition full-back, twisting inside and out at pace, and his finish in the second half was a beauty.
FW Gabriel Jesus, 9 -- That the forward managed to shine in an attack that had so many leading lights is a credit to him. Two more goals to his personal tally and constant harrying of defenders mean the fans will have enjoyed his performance greatly.
Kevin De Bruyne had a superb match as Manchester City swept Stoke aside.
Substitutes
MF Bernardo Silva, 8 -- Replacing Jesus on 63 minutes, the Portuguese midfielder slotted straight into the team and scored to finish off a lovely move for City's seventh.
MF Ilkay Gundogan, 7 -- The midfielder kept things ticking over after he came on for De Bruyne on 66 minutes.
MF Yaya Toure, N/R -- After coming on to give Fernandinho a rest, it was like watching a dad playing with the kids. Toure was strolling around the pitch, swatting off opposition challenges, and barely needed to break a sweat.
David Mooney is ESPN FC's Manchester City blogger. Twitter: @DavidMooney
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Source: espn.co.uk
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