Our picks

Manchester City run riot as Stoke City crumble at the Etihad.

Manchester City produced another blistering display to score seven against a helpless Stoke City.

City dominated from start to finish, and led in the first half through goals from Gabriel Jesus, Raheem Sterling and David Silva.

Stoke provided brief resistance with goals either side of the break from Mame Biram Diouf and a Kyle Walker OG before goals from Jesus, Fernandinho, Leroy Sane and Bernardo Silva gave the scoreline a look which reflected their dominance.

20641679_1905897639632768_1409488121_o

Manchester City go two points clear at the Premier League summit, while Stoke drop to 15th.

In scoring seven, Manchester City became the first team to score 29 goals in their first eight top flight fixtures since before 1894. Given the way they continue to dismantle every team put before them, few are doubting their status as title favourites.

Pep Guardiola raised a few eyebrows in his selection for today’s match, selecting Sergio Aguero for the bench less than three weeks after the striker broke a rib in a car crash in Amsterdam.

But there was never any reason to risk him, City bossed possession from the off and scythed Stoke open at will, having eleven shots on target in total.

Stoke did well to repel the waves of City attacks until 17 minutes, finally conceding after Kevin De Bruyne released Kyle Walker, who crossed for Jesus to stab home.

20642267_1905897619632770_2056760909_o

Within eight minutes it was 3-0, Raheem Sterling and David Silva netting after more brilliant build-up play. By this point De Bruyne was running the show, playing an exceptional pass in the build up to Sterling’s effort.

Entirely against the run of play Stoke fired back, Mame Biram Diouf finishing off a fine counter attack before the Potters benefitted from a slice of luck as Kyle Walker inadvertently brought the score back to 3-2 early in the second half.

But any hope of the points heading back to the midlands quickly evaporated, Jesus Smashing home another delectable De Bruyne pass before Fernandinho drove in from range.

More midfield wizardry from the Belgian set up Sane soon after, before substitute Bernardo Silva joined the party from a Sterling assist.

There was little Stoke could do to repel the irresistible Sky Blues and must take solace in the fact that they are only the second team to score against City at the Etihad this season.

The Guardiola revolution marches on, with City unbeaten in all competitive 90 minute matches since April. With Aguero still to return, can anyone stop them?

Written by Sam Hanys.

Sam Hanys

A miserable Ipswich Town fan.

90MAAT News Now

Premier League Table

90MAAT Social Media

ScoopDragon Football News Network

Search The Site