Hat-trick hero Sergio Aguero helped Manchester City see off Arsenal at the Etihad and move back to within two points of Premier League leaders Liverpool.
Aguero opened the scoring for City with a close-range header inside the first minute before Laurent Koscielny levelled for the Gunners.
The Argentine then netted either side of the break to make sure City returned to winning ways and put the pressure on Liverpool ahead of their clash at West Ham tomorrow night.
Aguero was undoubtedly the star of the show but Kevin De Bruyne, Raheem Sterling and Fernandinho also impressed.
It was a day to forget for Arsenal, who failed to have a single effort in the second half, with the likes of Alex Iwobi and Stephan Lichtsteiner struggling.
Manchester City player ratings
Ederson: City’s star goalkeeper had no chance with Arsenal’s goal and remained unflappable after conceding. He was also quick to come out of his area to deal with any threat. 6
Kyle Walker: Made some strong challenges and pushed City forward. 6
Nicolas Otamendi: Rare top-flight start for the centre-back and stood up to the threat of Alexandre Lacazette well. 6
Fernandinho: Lined up in the back four but gave the midfield some impetus when City were in possession. Dealt with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang very well. 8
Aymeric Laporte: Slotted in well at left-back and created the opening goal with determination and finesse. 8
Ilkay Gundogan: His range of passing proved difficult for Arsenal to handle. 7
Raheem Sterling: Provided pace and venom out wide and his volleyed pass for Aguero’s second goal was exceptional. 7
Kevin De Bruyne: Dictated the pace of the game, delivery outstanding and got in some fierce strikes on goal. 8
Bernardo Silva: Gave City good options on the right, where he spent most of the game but not quite at his best. 6
David Silva: Played more of a support role to De Bruyne on this occasion and often came left, but touches were still classy. 7
Sergio Aguero: A tireless display that proved yet again how lethal he can be. Three close-range goals, the third of which appeared to come off his arm, but no doubt about the Man of the Match. 9
Manchester City substitutes
Gabriel Jesus (for Aguero, 81): Allowed Aguero a break in the closing minutes and had a chance to add to the goals. 6
Riyad Mahrez (for De Bruyne, 88): Curled a late shot wide. 6
Arsenal player ratings
Bernd Leno: No chance with City’s first two goals and did his best to keep out the third but to no avail. The Gunners goalkeeper made some decent saves but also had some shaky moments. 6
Stephan Lichtsteiner: Caught out by a one-two between Sterling and Gundogan in the build-up to City’s second. The veteran was poor. 4
Shkodran Mustafi: Badly out of position for the opening goal, and he looked fortunate not to give away a penalty soon after. 4
Laurent Koscielny: Headed Arsenal level early on and while he will be disappointed by the goals conceded, he did do some decent work at the back. 6
Nacho Monreal: Provided the flick-on for Koscielny’s goal and did not make any major errors defensively. 6
Sead Kolasinac: Made some useful attacking contributions but Arsenal would have wanted more from him in defence. 5
Lucas Torreira: Showed his usual grit in midfield and delivered the corner which led to the equaliser. Picked up a booking. 6
Matteo Guendouzi: Produced some eye-catching play, particularly in the first-half, before fading as an influence. Arsenal’s best performer on the day. 7
Alex Iwobi: City’s opener came after he lost possession on the edge of his own box. That was about all he did. 3
Alexandre Lacazette: Unable to have much of an impact. Almost non-existent in the second half. 5
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang: Like his strike partner, failed to really exert himself on proceedings. 5
Arsenal substitutes
Aaron Ramsey (for Iwobi, 66): Little impact. 4
Denis Suarez (for Kolasinac, 66): Quiet and not the Arsenal debut he would have hoped for against his old club. 5
Konstantinos Mavropanos (for Mustafi, 79): Helped ensure Arsenal did not fall further behind. 6