Raheem Sterling helped himself to an opening day hat-trick as champions Manchester City thumped West Ham 5-0 at the London Stadium.
Pep Guardiola's side responded in kind after last season's runners-up Liverpool had started with a commanding 4-1 win Norwich City at Anfield on Friday evening.
West Ham started the game in bright fashion, imposing themselves on the champions, but Manuel Pellegrini's team couldn't make it count.
City took the lead midway through the first half when Gabriel Jesus flicked Kyle Walker's low ball into the box to the net.
I cannot deny I am delighted for the first game.
Pep Guardiola
Sterling doubled the lead six minutes into the second half and added his second 15 minutes from the end. Serio Aguero – only granted a place on the bench – netted from the penalty spot to make it four, though only after a VAR review allowed him re-take when his initial effort was stopped by Lukasz Fabianski.
The new technology had also ruled out a strike from Jesus in the second half, with Sterling adjudged to have been offside in the build-up.
Sterling scored his third of the afternoon in stoppage time, the champions sending a clear message to those that have designs on their crown.
Manchester City have now won their past 15 Premier League games, three short of their own top-flight record.
Man City are 4/11 to overcome Spurs at home next weekend. The Londoners are 15/2 while the draw is priced at 15/4.
"In terms of the result, yes," he replied when asked if he was happy.
"I cannot deny I am delighted for the first game. After winning the last 14 games of last season, that's 15 now. It is good.
"In the first half we were sloppy with our passes, we were not precise. But that's normal. The first game, away, 12.30 kick-off, hot. It's normal.
"In the second half, from the beginning we were better, more calm, more passes. After 3-0, the game was over."
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Raheem Sterling helped himself to an opening day hat-trick as champions Manchester City thumped West Ham 5-0 at the London Stadium.
Pep Guardiola's side responded in kind after last season's runners-up Liverpool had started with a commanding 4-1 win Norwich City at Anfield on Friday evening.
West Ham started the game in bright fashion, imposing themselves on the champions, but Manuel Pellegrini's team couldn't make it count.
City took the lead midway through the first half when Gabriel Jesus flicked Kyle Walker's low ball into the box to the net.
I cannot deny I am delighted for the first game.
Pep Guardiola
Sterling doubled the lead six minutes into the second half and added his second 15 minutes from the end. Serio Aguero – only granted a place on the bench – netted from the penalty spot to make it four, though only after a VAR review allowed him re-take when his initial effort was stopped by Lukasz Fabianski.
The new technology had also ruled out a strike from Jesus in the second half, with Sterling adjudged to have been offside in the build-up.
Sterling scored his third of the afternoon in stoppage time, the champions sending a clear message to those that have designs on their crown.
Manchester City have now won their past 15 Premier League games, three short of their own top-flight record.
Man City are 4/11 to overcome Spurs at home next weekend. The Londoners are 15/2 while the draw is priced at 15/4.
"In terms of the result, yes," he replied when asked if he was happy.
"I cannot deny I am delighted for the first game. After winning the last 14 games of last season, that's 15 now. It is good.
"In the first half we were sloppy with our passes, we were not precise. But that's normal. The first game, away, 12.30 kick-off, hot. It's normal.
"In the second half, from the beginning we were better, more calm, more passes. After 3-0, the game was over."
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Source: bet365.com