A third league title in four years will surely follow.
It is not just that City are five points clear with a game in hand, or even that their rivals continue to stutter, but that Guardiola’s side have risen back to their immaculate peak. It is striking that City are both familiar and new, both rediscovered and reborn.
Phil Foden now carries the torch, Joao Cancelo drives midfield from right-back, and possession replaces pressing as the dominant form of control. And yet City have built on these recalibrated foundations to once again create and conquer in the long-established Guardiola blueprint.
Sublime City go top after hitting five at West Brom
Premier League
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City moved to the top of the Premier League with a superb 5-0 victory over West Brom.
A first-half blitz, inspired by the excellent Ilkay Gundogan, saw City go into the break 4-0 up.
Gundogan (2), Joao Cancelo and Riyad Mahrez ended the game as a contest before half-time, with Raheem Sterling bagging a fifth before an hour had been played.
The Baggies managed to play out the last half-hour without conceding again, but it will be little consolation to Sam Allardyce whose side remain in deep trouble near the foot of the table.