Second-half goals from Aleksandar Kolarov and Samir Nasri have helped maintain Manchester City's winning start to the campaign away at Everton.
The Citizens prevailed 2-0 at Goodison Park to record a ninth top-flight victory on the bounce - their longest such run since 1912.
© Getty Images
Tim Howard had to be alert from the off to keep out Sergio Aguero, who latched on to David Silva's initial shot to force the American keeper into a save down low.
It was Aguero again who found himself in the right place soon after, this time creating a yard of space to get on the end of Jesus Navas's cross, only to see his attempt once more kept out by Howard.
Everton were looking steady in possession, but it was City who continued to create the best openings as Silva fired a powerful effort over the bar from 25 yards out.
The Toffees, who had lost just one of their last six home meetings against the Sky Blues heading into this one, finally managed to test Joe Hart midway through the half thanks to Ross Barkley's shot down the middle.
Despite City's early chances, it was Everton who thought they had taken the lead when Romelu Lukaku got himself on the end of Barkley's through-ball and coolly rolled the ball into the net, before seeing his celebration cut short by the offside flag.
Seamus Coleman and Raheem Sterling both came close to an opener with their shots as the opening 45 minutes wore on, while a powerful Phil Jagielka header also ended narrowly over the target.
© Getty Images
The deadlock was very nearly broken with what was the last meaningful kick of the half, as Lukaku's free kick hit the bar on its way over, but it was to remain goalless at the break.
Man City should have opened the scoring less than two minutes after the restart when Sterling found Silva with a clever reverse pass, yet the Spaniard could only pick out the post when played clean through.
The game's breakthrough moment did eventually arrive on the hour, and it was Sterling who was involved again as he found Kolarov for the Serbian to fire home inside Howard's near post.
Howard, who was aggrieved at letting the full-back beat him in the manner he did, soon made amends of sorts by denying Navas who was through on goal.
City were nearly pegged back in the final 10 minutes when Gareth Barry's header was heading towards goal, but Vincent Kompany was standing by to clear off the line.
Nasri then wrapped things up in the closing stages, linking up well with Yaya Toure before lifting the ball over Howard to prolong his side's perfect start.
Daniel Lewis
