De Bruyne’s God-given talent hailed by Jesus

Manchester city: Belgian on top form as Stoke are swept aside

Gabriel Jesus joined the chorus of approval for Kevin De Bruyne after Manchester City swept Stoke aside with ease on Saturday.

The in-form De Bruyne was again at his scintillating best as City moved clear at the top of the Premier League with a 7-2 victory at the Etihad Stadium.

The Belgian did not get on the scoresheet himself but he marked his 100th appearance for the club with a dynamic display that saw him set up four goals.

His vision opened up the Stoke defence for early strikes from Jesus and Raheem Sterling before perfectly-weighted passes played in Jesus for a second and Leroy Sane later in the game.

Stoke boss Mark Hughes said De Bruyne was “head and shoulders above anybody else in the Premier League” and Jesus was also full of praise.

“He is one of the best players in the world,” said the Brazil striker.

City were 3-0 up inside 27 minutes with David Silva also on the scoresheet. Stoke remarkably pulled that back to 3-2 as Mame Biram Diouf struck and Kyle Walker diverted into his own net.

Fernandinho and Bernardo Silva were also on target in a one-sided second period.

City have scored 37 goals in their 11 games in all competitions and look formidable. Manager Pep Guardiola feels he is now being vindicated for sticking to his principles when, at times last season, defensive work was criticised.

He said: “I am not here for entertainment, I am here to win. But last season when people said you have to change the way you play – they said it many times, like when we were not able to win our games at home or lost at Leicester 4-2 – I said, ‘No, that is not going to happen’.”

As City went two points clear, Crystal Palace claimed the win of the day by upsetting Chelsea.

Palace had managed neither a point nor a goal in their opening seven matches but the return of Wilfried Zaha from injury inspired them to a 2-1 victory over the reigning champions.

Their first goal in the 11th minute was credited to a Chelsea player – Cesar Azpilicueta – but Zaha struck the winner just before half-time after Tiemoue Bakayoko had equalised with his first Premier League goal.

Tottenham sit third, three points behind Manchester United, who drew 0-0 with Liverpool, after Christian Eriksen scored the only goal of a 1-0 victory over Bournemouth at Wembley.

Ten-man West Ham were denied victory at Turf Moor by a late Burnley equaliser from Chris Wood five minutes from time.

Michail Antonio’s route one goal in the 19th minute came eight minutes before Andy Carroll was sent off after picking up two yellow cards in less than two minutes.

A Tammy Abraham double earned Swansea a much-needed 2-0 victory over Huddersfield.

Tom Cleverley scored an injury-time winner to earn Watford a 2-1 victory over Arsenal at Vicarage Road.