The Serie A leaders, unbeaten in 11 league games this season, were no match for Pep Guardiola’s side on a memorable night in southern Italy.
Club journalist Rob Pollard has taken a closer look at the major talking points.
Enthralling football
This was perhaps the game of the season so far, a battle for supremacy between the best Italy and England has to offer at this moment in time; two teams committed to attacking football, playing with belief, freedom and a desire to entertain.
Both sides are unbeaten in their respective leagues, with a combined 67 goals from 21 games. It promised entertainment and that’s exactly what we got.
And it was Napoli who were on top for half an hour. They were quicker and sharper in possession and City were getting overrun.
But it’s testament to this side that they not only weathered an early storm, but came back and outplayed one of Europe’s finest.
City pressed hard, defended resolutely and eventually found their best form going forward. Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling were constant outlets on the break, and the home side couldn’t deal with the quick passing and movement in City’s midfield.
City are now England’s great entertainers, with 49 goals scored in 16 matches in all competitions this season. This isn’t just winning football, it’s football designed to thrill.
Record breaker
This was Sergio Aguero’s night.
The Argentine scored City’s third and overtook Eric Brook to become the Club’s all-time leading goalscorer with 178 goals.
It took Brook 493 games to reach his tally of 177. Aguero has managed to surpass him in just 264.
It is fitting that Aguero now holds the record. He’s the finest striker in City’s history and one of the best the Premier League has ever seen.
He has the best minutes-to-goal ratio of any Premier League player to have played more than 50 games, with a goal every 108 minutes, and has has scored 20 goals or more in five of his six seasons at City.
What a signing he has proven to be and who would bet against him sending the season with 200 City goals to his name?
Defensive improvement
City’s attacking capabilities have been well documented - but the improvement in defence is perhaps the biggest reason for our outstanding form.
There’s solidity at the back now. John Stones has been outstanding - arguably been City’s best player during this run - and is blossoming into a superb modern-day defender: calm in possession, capable of starting attacks and a brilliant reader of the game.
And alongside him, Nicolas Otamendi has also excelled, a grittier, backs-to-the-wall centre-back who complements Stones’ aesthetics wonderfully.
Key to it all, though, has been Ederson, a goalkeeper capable of reaching the very top of the game.
City’s form continues
It’s now 22 games unbeaten for City in all competitions, a Club record and a sign of the new focus and determination running through the squad.
City have played 16 matches this season and won 15 of them.
Guardiola has fostered a winning mentality and there a few sides playing with the same swagger and confidence.
