MAN CITY 3, ARSENAL 1
Manchester City smashed yet further records as they beat Arsenal to temporarily move eight points clear at the top of the Premier League.
This was their 15th straight Premier League victory, a top-flight record, as they disposed of the Gunners with goals from Kevin De Bruyne, Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus.
City have also scored 52 games in 17 games in all competitions, again a record in the Premier League era.
And it was especially satisfying for Pep Guardiola after the tough midweek Champions League at Napoli whereas Arsenal rested all their key players in midweek.
Guardiola said: “Well done. It was a good performance considering after the Champions League when they rested all week. We created a lot of chances and almost chances when we missed the last pass.
“We were so tired, but were mentally strong to keep going. We won, we deserved it.
“We spoke about being tired before the game, but we couldn’t be fired in our heads and our body language was good.”
Arsenal’s Arsene Wenger was disappointed that City’s third goal stood after replays showed David Silva was offside before setting up Jesus.
He added it was a repeat of last season when they conceded two controversial goals admitting it “killed the game”.
Wenger said: “We put a lot of effort in and at 2-1 felt we could come back. 3-1 was an immense relief and unexpected present for them.
“It is difficult to see anyone stopping them with the quality they have, but who knows.
“If they get decisions like that, they will be unstoppable.”
City fielded their strongest available line up with Aguero preferred to Jesus up front.
Arsenal, meanwhile, found no place in their starters for record signing Alexandra Lacazette while Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott were also on the bench.
There was a special presentation to Aguero before kick off to mark the Argentine becoming the club’s record-breaking goalscorer in midweek.
And the presentation was made by the daughter of former holder Eric Brook along with City great Mike Summerbee.
There was a lively opening as both teams played ome fast, attacking football.
Aguero fired wide in the second minutes after Raheem Sterling and De Bruyne sliced open the Gunners’ defence.
Mezut Ozil shot wide for Arsenal before Leroy Sane burst clear on the left and cross only for Sterling, sliding it, just failing to connect with his low cross.
The breakthrough came in the 19th minute from De Bruyne.
The Belgian’s initial shot was pushed out by keeper Petr Cech and in the follow up Sane fed De Bruyne who played a return pass with Fernandinho before rifling a low shot across the face of goal into the far corner for his third of the season.
Arsenal were at times living dangerously and only saved by poor final balls from City. One was when Sterling broke clear and passed in front of Sane who was free in front of goal.
But in first half stoppage the Gunners almost conjured an equaliser when Aaron Ramsey forced a decent diving save from keeper Ederson Moraes.
City doubled their lead four minutes into the second half through an Aguero penalty after Sterling was brought down by Nacho Monreal who was also booked.
It was Aguero’s sixth goal in his last eight games against Arsenal in all competitions, 10th of the season and 179th for the club.
City made their first change just after the hour when Aguero made way for Jesus.
But it was Arsenal substitute Lacazette who halved the deficit midway through the half and only eight minutes after making his entrance.
He was released by Ramsey and slotted a shot low under Ederson, his sixth goal of the season.
City almost restored their two-goal advantage moments late when Arsenal keeper Petr Cech made a brilliant point-blank save to deny Jesus who looked certain to score after Silva had flicked on Sane’s corner.
But they soon were 3-1 ahead when Silva cut the ball back for Jesus for a simple finish from six yards, his 14th goal in 20 Premier League games. But replays showed Silva was marginally offside.
City made a second change as Sterling made way for Ilkay Gundogan with 13 minutes left and he was followed by Bernardo Silva who came of for Sane as they saw out the game comfortably.