Sergio Aguero scored a hat-trick as free-scoring Manchester City climbed to the top of the Premier League with an irresistible 6-0 victory against Watford on Saturday.
Aguero opened the scoring in the 27th minute, heading home Kevin de Bruyne’s superb free kick, and doubled the lead within four minutes when he converted David Silva’s teasing cross from close range.
City were in exuberant mood and added a third before the break when the excellent Gabriel Jesus latched on to Aguero’s cute pass to stroke home in the 38th minute.
After Nicolas Otamendi headed in a fourth in the 63rd minute, Aguero completed his treble with a neat finish at the end of a sensational run. Raheem Sterling added a sixth from the penalty spot after he was brought down by Christian Kabasele late on.
City have 13 points from five games – three more than rivals Manchester United who play Everton on Sunday. Watford, in 10th, have eight points after their first defeat of the season.
Elsewhere on Saturday, Newcastle captain Jamaal Lascelles scored the winner as Rafa Benitez’s side beat Stoke City 2-1 at St James’ Park to post their third successive Premier League victory.
Benitez was back in the dugout after a health scare but under orders to keep calm and was delighted to see his side take the lead after 19 minutes when Christian Atsu connected from close range for his first Premier League goal after a superb Matt Ritchie cross.
Without suspended striker Aleksandar Mitrovic, Newcastle looked to Joselu up front but the former Stoke forward squandered three chances to increase Newcastle’s lead.
Although Xherdan Shaqiri equalised against the run of play, Lascelles, who is expected to sign a new five-year deal in the next few days, headed another excellent Ritchie cross in off the post after 68 minutes to secure the points.
Meanwhile, Leicester striker Jamie Vardy’s second-half equaliser earned the visitors a 1-1 draw at a dominant Huddersfield Town.
David Wagner’s hosts squandered early opportunities from precise crosses before striker Laurent Depoitre marked his first league start this season with a goal straight after the break.
Leicester equalised four minutes later, with England forward Vardy converting a penalty after Chris Loew brought down midfielder Andy King at the John Smith’s Stadium.
Craig Shakespeare’s visitors came closest to picking up all three points but Vardy somehow managed to miss an open goal following a counter-attack led by winger Riyad Mahrez.
West Brom goalkeeper Ben Foster was fortunate not to receive a red card for a reckless challenge as his side played out a 0-0 draw with West Ham at the Hawthorns.
Foster raced out of his box on 66 minutes and made a sliding tackle on West Ham striker Javier Hernandez, upending the Mexican, but referee Paul Tierney flashed yellow instead of red.
It was the big talking point of an otherwise forgettable game, with the closest that either side came to a goal being a long-range effort from just inside his half by West Ham’s Pedro Obiang that crashed against the crossbar.
West Ham defender Jose Fonte also had time to place his header from a corner in the first half, but steered the effort wide as manager Slaven Bilic’s side picked up their first away point of the season