Pep Guardiola: The quality of our players made the difference

De Bruyne put the Premier League leaders ahead with a clever 15th-minute free kick beneath the defensive wall and played a part in goals for Kelechi Iheanacho, Raheem Sterling and Ilkay Gundogan.

Guardiola said he had no issues with the red card.

But Guardiola was less than impressed by one questioner who wondered whether, after eight games, this meant City could clean up the Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup and League Cup. I heard that the Premier League is the toughest in the world and that is an argument I am going to accept. “That’s made it easier to come in and play”.

“I know we are going to lose games and when that happens it’s important to be stable like we are stable now”.

‘I think he is a special player, an outstanding player, ‘ said Guardiola. “He’s a very nice guy and he just tries to make us better and better”, he said.

Gundogan played under Klopp in the Bundesliga until he left for Liverpool and is now under the tutelage of Guardiola, who Klopp battled against during his time in charge of Bayern Munich.

Alexis Sanchez scored twice and had a penalty saved in the victory.

Arsenal picked another win defeating Hull City 4-1 away from home.

“People don’t see the hard work that goes but we know – and that’s why we are so sharp on the pitch”. When you play 11 against 10, it is, of course, not the same mentally and psychologically. “To win titles or not we will see”.

“So overall I think we responded well”. This performance was better than the one against Sunderland on the opening day but that is all.

The City manager did not hide his exasperation when asked if a clean sweep of silverware was his target this season after Saturday’s 4-0 demolition of Bournemouth.

Ben Mee’s own goal completed the scoring late on as Leicester took their haul to seven points from five games.

And nine minutes later the game was as good as over as City doubled their advantage with a superb second goal on the break.

And Everton continued its resurgence under new manager Ronald Koeman.

City were highly impressive as they swept the Cherries aside to record their eighth successive win since Guardiola arrived in the summer.