Central to the impressive performance was the 25-year-old Belgium worldwide, signed by City from Wolfsburg for big money in August 2015, having been deemed surplus to requirements by Guardiola’s fierce rival Jose Mourinho at Chelsea earlier in his career.
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Kompany has been plagued by calf issues in recent seasons and tore a thigh muscle during the Champions League semi-final defeat to Real Madrid last May.
City is averaging more than three goals a game under Guardiola, who has turned the team into an irresistible attacking unit. “But that table aside, Kevin can stay there”, Guardiola told reporters at the Etihad Stadium.
Eddie Howe’s men conceded four times – to Kevin De Bruyne, Kelechi Iheanacho, Raheem Sterling and Ilkay Gundogan – but Guardiola still singled the Cherries out as the best side he’s come across during his short time in England.
There’s also intelligence behind the excellence.
The Belgium midfielder’s goal came via a cheeky free kick, shooting underneath a jumping wall in the 15th minute to get City rolling.
Iheanacho returned the favor to Sterling after halftime – and again the catalyst for the flowing move was De Bruyne, who slipped another pass through to the striker.
Boruc appeared to hurt himself sprawling fruitlessly at Iheanacho’s feet on the third goal and the Poland worldwide required further treatment after saves from De Bruyne and Sterling.
The timing and weight of his angled pass to the onrushing Gundogan was flawless, and the Germany midfielder marked his Premier League debut by slotting his finish into the corner.
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola says he rates Kevin de Bruyne as highly as any player he has managed, with the exception of Barcelona’s Lionel Messi. “Kevin is there with the rest”.
De Bruyne scored the first and was involved in the other three goals, continuing a run of form which has been instrumental in City winning eight successive games under Guardiola, surpassing the record of seven set in the Victorian era in 1897.
It’s been a good week for Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez.
This season, it’s different and Everton are robust defensively, while maintaining the scoring threat of Romelu Lukaku up front.
Saturday’s Premier League action only provided five fixtures.
LEICESTER 3, BURNLEY 0: It was some Premier League debut for Islam Slimani.
Gareth Barry scored on his 600th top-flight appearance to spark Everton’s comeback after goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg’s own goal put Middlesbrough ahead.
Salomon Rondon and James McClean scored the others and though Michail Antonio and Manuel Lanzini pulled two goals back in quick succession, it was too little too late.
City have beaten Sunderland, Stoke and West Ham so far in the league.
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A poor start to the season with just four points picked up from the opening five games shows that plenty of work is still to be done.
