Pep leads from the front to sink Sarri

PEP GUARDIOLA’S free-scoring Manchester City showed the attacking quality that has put them top of the Premier League.

But the Blues were just as impressive at the other end, as they maintained their perfect start in the Champions League.

Serie A leaders Napoli’s visit was supposed to be an acid test for City.

The Blues are the only team in Europe to have scored more league goals than the 26 Napoli have plundered in Italy.

Eight wins from eight, only five goals conceded, two points clear at the top of the table, Maurizio Sarri’s team arrived with a red-hot reputation.

The only problem was that by the time Napoli got to grips with their hosts, Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus had put City in the clear.

Kevin De Bruyne (above) also bruised the underside of the crossbar and Jesus had another effort scrambled off the line. But Guardiola read the danger signs and was raging as complacency set it.

Dries Mertens missed a penalty for Napoli and John Stones made a vital block with his belly.

Amadou Diawara did score from the spot for Napoli on 73 minutes.

However, City held on for a win that was far from pretty, but certainly effective.