It’s fair to say this City side have won the respect and admiration of journalists, pundits and football fans across the nation for the style the Blues have shown and the record-busting start to the campaign.
But it’s still only November and Pep Guardiola will remain understandably cautious despite the praise being lavished on his team.
The 2-0 win at Leicester was City’s 16th victory in succession and the latest success has, if anything, convinced the majority of writers and former players that nobody will stop the Blues.
Nonetheless, it’s worth remembering we’re just 12 Premier League games in…
BBC Sport rounded up the best of quotes into one article that reads: “BBC pundit Garth Crooks said: ‘They are playing some of the best football ever played in the history of the Premier League. I think we’re looking at another invincible team this season.’
“Afterwards, Leicester boss Claude Puel called City ‘the best team in Europe’.
“Pep Guardiola’s team have 34 points from their 12 games, matching their achievement at the start of the 2011-12 title-winning season under Roberto Mancini.
“Martin Keown, a member of the Arsenal ‘Invincibles’ squad who went through the entire 2003-04 league season unbeaten, believes this City side could match the Gunners’ feat.
‘I am happy to be part of that exclusive club that has gone a full season unbeaten. I hope they [City] don’t do it, but it is looking like they will,’ the retired defender told Football Focus.
‘I don’t see who is going to stop them. If they get complacent, maybe. But I think Guardiola is all over that one. He is picking up on mistakes in training. He will stop at nothing. He is a serial winner.’
Moving on and The Independent point to the difference between the City of yesterday and the side that were humbled by the Foxes just 12 months ago in the same fixture.
The report: reads: “Hard to believe now that Manchester City lost this fixture 4-2 a year ago, putting in a shambolic performance that fatally undermined any pretensions they might have had of a title challenge.
“Pep Guardiola’s side arrived here 18 points ahead of the Foxes and deservedly increased the gap to 21 with an impressive display of control, even with two centre-halves who were rusty through lack of games. Leicester City did not play badly; they might have taken something from the game against most opponents, but the whole point about Manchester City these days is that they are not any old opponents.
“This was their 10th league win in a row, their 16th of an all-competition sequence, and it could have been even more emphatic, with Leroy Sané in particular finding space and running past defenders at will.”
Returning to the pundit/ex-player praise and former United has joined in the chorus of approval, with the Daily Mail picking up on his words: “City are capable of winning the Premier League and going all season in the league unbeaten, according to Phil Neville.
Former Manchester United defender Neville, who was appearing as a pundit on BBC’s Match of the Day programme, said Guardiola’s men could go all term without defeat.
He said: ‘I think they can go all season undefeated I really do. They’re that good of a team and I can’t see how this moment in time anyone can take points off them.’
Alan Shearer, who was sat alongside Neville, disagreed.
“The former Newcastle striker thinks City will face defeat when they start to rotate their first team to cope with the demands of other competitions such as the Champions League.
Shearer added: ‘Alan Shearer: ‘I think that’s a big ask because when you get further into the season and with the Champions League games and the latter stages.’
Finally, the Daily Star believe one of Leicester’s brightest stars might be interesting City – thanks to Lionel Messi.
Confused? Read on: “City are ready to swoop for Leicester ace Riyad Mahrez after Lionel Messi blocked him from joining Barcelona.
“That’s according to Spanish news outlet Don Balon who the Argentine superstar didn’t want him at the Nou Camp.
“It’s suggested the 30-year-old was concerned Mahrez would have too much influence over Barca’s style of play.
“Don Balon reckon Messi’s interference has now opened the door for a move to City. Pep Guardiola is reportedly a huge admirer of the Algeria international.
“And the Catalan chief believes Mahrez could offer an alternative option on the right flank or be used as an impact substitute”
And that’s all for today – more of the same tomorrow.
