City’s heaven over seven

MANCHESTER City opened up a two-point lead over Manchester United at the top of the Premier League with another display of scintillating brilliance in a 7-2 thrashing of Stoke City at the Etihad Stadium.

After a goal-less draw between Liverpool and United, City hit five goals for a third straight game.

They became the first team to net 29 goals in their first eight league games of a top-flight season in England since Everton in 1894 as some of the main title challengers faltered.