EPL: Manchester City 7-2 Stoke City

Kevin De Bruyne ran Stoke ragged at the Etihad

Manchester City routed Stoke City 7-2 at the Etihad Stadium, with Kevin De Bruyne running the show for the Premier League leaders.

The Citizens stuck with the same starting XI who began the 1-0 win at Chelsea before the international break while the visitors made two changes.

Joe Allen and Saido Berahino dropped out, with Jese and youngster Tom Edwards handed starting roles, the latter making his first-team debut.

Four minutes in Jack Butland had to get down to gather a low effort from Raheem Sterling and three minutes later Leroy Sane lashed an effort over from 10 yards out when he should have scored.

The hosts broke the deadlock 17 minutes in as De Bruyne and Kyle Walker combined down the right flank to set up Gabriel Jesus for an easy close-range finish.

Two minutes later it was 2-0 to the hosts as De Bruyne and Sane combined on the left to leave Raheem Sterling with a straightforward tap-in at the far post.

Stoke were pulled apart again shortly before the half-hour mark as Sane crossed for Sterling and his cut-back was converted by the arriving David Silva to make the scoreline 3-0 to the hosts.

Butland then made a fine block with his foot to deny Silva a second goal of the afternoon before doing superbly to tip away a De Bruyne curler.

However, right on half-time a strong run from Mame Biram Diouf ended with his deflected effort flying up and over the stranded Ederson.

Stoke made a double change at half-time and within a couple of minutes they reduced the deficit further as an Edwards cross was met by Diouf and his header deflected in off the unfortunate Walker.

Youngster Edwards had to be stretchered off soon after, forcing Stoke to use their third and final substitute and the hosts were two goals in front within a couple of minutes.

The outstanding De Bruyne curled a ball in from the right for Jesus to slam the ball home with his left foot. On the hour it was 5-2 to the Citizens as Fernandinho was given time and space 30 yards out and he smashed a right-foot shot into the top corner of the net.

Soon there was a sixth goal for the home side, with De Bruyne again delivering a perfect pass from the right side, with Sane arriving at the far post to sweep the ball home.

Home boss Pep Guardiola made changes with the game won and one of those replacements got himself on the scoresheet, with Bernardo Silva sliding home a low finish to make the final scoreline 7-2.