Silva unstoppable as City ease past Potters without engaging top gear

David Silva struck twice as Manchester City took another stride towards their seemingly inevitable coronation as Premier League champions with a 2-0 victory at Stoke.

Silva found the net early in each half as Pep Guardiola’s men enjoyed a comfortable night at the bet365 Stadium to re-establish a 16-point lead at the top of the table.

The result leaves City needing only a maximum of three wins from eight remaining games to take the title, but two would suffice if one of them comes against second-placed Manchester United.

That means there is a possibility City could complete the job in the derby against United on 7 April, if they beat Everton on 31 March.

City were without top scorer Sergio Aguero but his absence mattered little as they barely needed to get out of second gear against the relegationthreatened Potters.

Within ten minutes City had broken through as Gabriel Jesus released Raheem Sterling down the right. He picked out Silva, pictured, in front of goal and the Spaniard flicked home.

Kylewalkeralmostmanaged to lob his own keeper after getting an awkward touch under pressure from Jese following a long clearance from Jack But- land, but Ederson scrambled back to palm over.

Aside from that, Stoke were chasing the ball. City went close when Kevin De Bruyne whipped in a dangerous free-kick but Jesus failed to make contact. Fernandinho also forced a good save from Butland from the edge of the area. City doubled their lead within five minutes of the restart. Silva drove City forward, found Jesus on the edge of the box and then watched the Brazilian’s bouncing return pass superbly to fire home as Butland rushed out to meet him. Sterling then jinked through the Stoke box before being denied by the feet of Butland, who also saved from Fernandinho.

Stoke made a mess of a dropball situation in the latter stages and Sterling went through on goal but Ndiaye just did enough to put him off as he attempted to round Butland. Ndiaye then turned to complain, perhaps suggesting City had been unsporting, and Moss had to becalm increasing tension.

Stoke offered little as City eased to victory.