It was the perfect start to the new Premier League season for Manchester City as they eased past West Ham on Saturday.
Pep Guardiola's side are going in search of their third successive English top-flight league title and they begun the new season in style away at the London Stadium.
A brilliant hat-trick from Raheem Sterling captured the headlines, while Gabriel Jesus and Sergio Aguero both netted a solitary strike to secure a comfortable 5-0 victory.
Yet while Sterling walked away with the match ball on Saturday, it was the performance of Kevin de Bruyne in the heart of midfield which got fans talking.
Riyad Mahrez and De Bruyne both controlled the midfield battle and ensured City dominated from start to finish, and in doing so the Belgian playmaker extended his incredible record of assists.
The 28-year-old set-up Sterling for the second goal of the match and with that pass he ensured that since his Premier League debut for City in September 2015, only Tottenham's Christian Eriksen (49) has more assists in the competition than De Bruyne (46).
The City midfielder's record becomes even more impressive when you consider the fact that he missed the majority of the last season through injury.
Guardiola will be dreaming of more magic from De Bruyne when City welcome Spurs to the Etihad this weekend as the Belgian international looks to improve his remarkable record.
