Manchester City bounced back from derby defeat with a convincing victory at Arsenal - but Pep Guardiola said his side played better last weekend.
The Premier League champions moved to within four points of second-placed Leicester with a thumping win over the struggling Gunners as three first-half goals gave them an advantage they never looked like giving up.
Kevin De Bruyne was the best player on the pitch by some distance and showed the sort of form that drove the Blues to the title two seasons ago, while the team also kept their first clean sheet in 11 games.
City's manager, who always prefers to talk about performances rather than results, was muted in his praise for the team after the game other than praising the extraordinary skills and vision of De Bruyne.
"We won the game. Kevin made two incredible goals and one assist. We're happy for the three points," was his first response.
And when it was suggested that the Blues had put in a terrific performance and were frustrated not to have scored more goals, Guardiola indicated that his team had actually played better the week before when losing to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side.
"We played much better against United and we had more chances," he said.
