Pep Guardiola would have been relieved to grab a win away at West Ham tonight, but to do so as comfortably as they did offered some hope that he is finally beginning to find his best XI.
Kevin De Bruyne, David Silva and Gabriel Jesus all piled on the misery for City in the first half as the visitors ran out 4-0 winners at the London Stadium.
A heavy 4-0 defeat to Everton a fortnight ago was followed by a 2-2 draw with Tottenham and once again the problems seemed to mount for City. This evening, however, they looked good on the attack and consistently cut through a rather ragged West Ham defence.
De Bruyne's opener was clinical, latching onto the end of a pull-back to stick it into the bottom corner. Silva's second saw him rush in at the back post to tap in, while Jesus benefited from Sterling's selflessness to tap home.
Yaya Toure added a fourth after the restart from the spot. Debutant Jose Fonte fouled Sterling in the area and Toure stepped up to tuck it away.
Manchester City's Gabriel Jesus celebrates scoring his side's third goal. Image: John Walton / EMPICS Sport
Elsewhere this evening, Manchester United extended their unbeaten league run to 14 games but were left frustrated by visitors Hull City.
After an industrious opening 20 minutes, United faded in the first half and created little in the way of tangible chances. Zlatan Ibrahimovic fired wide as he barged his way around the Hull back four.
The Swede was instrumental in creating their best chance of the first half, his flick into the path of Paul Pogba was well measured, but the Frenchman fired right at Eldin Jakupović.
While Marcus Rashford looked menacing throughout, there was more of the same after the break.
United should have taken the lead when substitute Juan Mata fired low at the back post, but again Jakupović produced a magnificent save. Replays showed the ball was saved right on the line.
Hull, for their part, did carry a threat and could have led when Lazar Marković's effort came back off the post. David De Gea, who was rooted to the spot, could only look on.
United pressed for the winner, but for all their huffing and puffing couldn't produce. Jakupović denied Pogba for a second time in stoppage time and basement club Hull held on for a valuable point.
Juan Mata has his effort saved on the line this evening by Eldin Jakupović. Image: Dave Thompson / AP/Press Association Images
Elsewhere tonight, Peter Crouch enjoyed a special landmark as he scored his 100th league goal during Stoke's 1-1 draw at home to Everton.
Ryan Shawcross deflected home Seamus Coleman's cross to give the visitors a point.
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