4 things we learned: North London is red, Manchester City can’t be slowed

Manchester City express shows no signs of slowing down

Things started off ominously for City as their returning captain Vincent Kompany made a last ditch tackle (arguably fit for a red card) to stop Jamie Vardy from a clear run to goal. When John Stones went off injured after 30 minutes with the game still scoreless, City were without two of their starting center-backs and Kompany was on a yellow.

However, City managed to keep the Foxes at bay by dominating possession and quelling any buildup in the early stage. The opening goal was a testament to the quality of this City side. Raheem Sterling provided a beautiful lifted through ball to David Silva, who played in Gabriel Jesus, leaving him with a tap in. The pass was a thing of beauty and it shouldn’t go unnoticed that it came from a player better known for turning on the jets and taking on defenders with speed rather than carving apart defenses with pinpoint passing.

The result was never in doubt after Leicester missed out on an opportunity to score on one end, and at the other Kevin De Bruyne smashed a left-footed shot past a hopeless Kasper Schmeichel. City faced a well-organized, tricky opponent that by all accounts should have provided a tough matchup.

Leicester’s forwards are known for their speed, City’s backline is not, especially not on a day when Stones and Nicolas Otamendi were missing. Yet Pep Guardiola continues to break down opponents by overwhelming them with superior possession, tiring them out by having them continually chase the ball. When City manage to keep a clean sheet against a world class forward line and Sterling is able to provide Silva-like service, the rest of the title contenders are in serious trouble.