Solid start for the Citizens

City cool The Blues
*Fernandinho stars in rout of Chelsea
*The Citizens have led at half and full time in their last eight EPL matches

BY PAUL  BURROWES

A week after insisting that Manchester City must improve in defence to challenge for the title, Fernandinho came up with the goods in the Citizens 3-0 thrashing of defending champions Chelsea at the Eithad Stadium in Manchester last Sunday.

The left central defensive midfielder put on a show and was clearly the man of the match, being successful in six of seven tackles.
Fernandinho, a 30-year-old Brazilian, had 50 touches and was spot on in 31 of 39 passes for a 79.5 per cent pass accuracy.
Eliaquim Mangala, who played behind Fernandinho, was also solid in defence as the 24-year-old Frenchman shone with six clearances and two blocked shots. He ensured that City kept a clean sheet, assisted by teammate and defender Aleksandar Kolarov of Serbia, who played left of the Frenchman.
Kolarov chipped in with six clearances, combining well with Raheem Sterling, Together, they put together 13 passes, which was second only to Cesc Fabregas and Eden Hazard, and Nemanja Matic and César Azpilicueta, the pairs having 15 pass combinations each.
The Guardian quoted Fernandinho last week, saying "the biggest thing to improve is defensively. The attacking part of the team is very strong and it’s about improving consistency in defence, particularly in away games,” said the Brazilian midfielder. “Of course, that includes myself as part of my role. But I believe we have learned the lesson and I’m confident the new season will be much better.”
After two rounds City top the standing with six points, scoring six goals and yet to concede. They beat West Brom 3-0 in their opening match on August 10.
Manuel Pellegrini's boys have been winning at both half time and full time in their last eight matches in the Premier League.
After two matches, David Silva, Kolarov, Yaya Toure and Fernandinho have been their featured players as the Citizens hunt for their fifth league title and third since 2011-12. City last won the title in 2013-14.
Leicester City's Riyad Mahrez, a 24-year-old Algerian attacking midfielder, has been the outstanding player overall so far in the English Premier League. He is the leading marksman with three goals.