Neighbours are

WITH the demolition derby executed to perfection, Manchester City sounded an ominous threat to their title rivals: we will only get better as the season progresses. Goalkeeper Ederson and fullback Benjamin Mendy echoed claims that the champions are not yet at full stride, despite now being unbeaten after 12 matches and scoring 15 goals in their past three games. Both men claim REPORTS there is improvement still to come as the season heads towards the festive period.

“Absolutely, we can be better,” said Ederson. “Pep Guardiola is in his third season here, it’s my second, and I can see the team has a deeper understanding of his ideas. If we keep going like this we can achieve a lot in the future.”

France international Mendy was injured for much of last season’s record title charge, when City posted the highest Premier League points haul (100), the most victories (32) and the most consecutive wins (18 between August and December).

And he agreed with Ederson when asked how high City might fly this season, even if they already appear to be operating on a different plane to everyone else.

“Football has no limits and every team can get better,” Mendy said. “People can say that we are [playing on another level] but we just try to play the best football we can.

“It’s a new season and we need to stay at the front to take the trophy again and, I hope, take more trophies.”

While it is difficult to imagine City playing better football than they currently are, it is notable their most creative influence, Kevin De Bruyne, has been absent for most of the campaign.

Two knee injuries kept the Belgian out for the first two months of the season and he is currently one week into a five-week spell on the sidelines, which should see him return against Watford on December 4. His presence will certainly improve City’s strength in