The Spaniard scored both goals for the Blues and has, not for the first time this season, earned rave reviews in the press.
Goal’s Sam Lee writes: “The man who shone brightest for the visitors was David Silva.
“Silva barely trained with his team-mates last week and will not join them on their flight to Abu Dhabi on Monday night, but he scored two beautiful goals to highlight once again that he has the character and ability to be regarded as one of the standout players of this fine City season, and indeed as one of the league’s all-time greats.”
READ: Kompany calls for no let up
READ: Silva is the complete player, says Pep
ESPN’s Simon Curtis was equally impressed with the diminutive playmaker and has praised Silva for the high level of performance he maintains.
He explains: “The little Spaniard’s ability to fit straight back in after his temporary absences is just another small detail in a mosaic of high standards.
“Took both his goals with aplomb, showing his usual awareness of space, time and opportunity. A truly unique craftsman.”
Silva is not the only one to have impressed against Stoke, with Gabriel Jesus also earning plaudits on his first Premier League start since his return from injury.
Leading the way with the praise is The Telegraph’s John Percy, who writes: “He was a constant threat in a central attacking role, frequently pulling Kurt Zouma and Bruno Martins Indi out of position.
“There was also a wonderful moment when he took out two Stoke players with a piece of skill on the halfway line, midway through the second half of a game where Manchester City were chomping on cigars.
“It is frightening when you consider that he is only 20 year’s old.”
Meanwhile, Paul Lambert the latest man to join the long list of admirers for City’s style of play.
He told Sky Sports: “They are as good a team as I have seen in a long time,
“I think with their movement, trying to keep them at bay [was hard].
“I think the way they play the game is terrific, the passing, the movement, you don’t really see it until you get close to it, it’s a very difficult game to stop.
“This is a really, really top side we have come up against.”
That’s all for today Blues, but we’ll be back with more of the same tomorrow.
