Guardiola insists Man City can still improve despite 20 match unbeaten streak

Pep Guardiola says he has "no doubts" about Gabriel Jesus' ability to lead Manchester City's attack - and the Brazilian might be proving his manager right.

"When we were 12th we were thinking forget about the Premier League, if we can achieve being in Europa League next season".

Sterling was the biggest culprit, shooting straight at Pope when sent through on goal by Gundogan.

City go to Burnley on Thursday night, looking to open up a seven-point gap between themselves and Liverpool ahead of Sunday's blockbuster clash at Anfield. "It's always next game, next game".

With Sergio Aguero and Kevin De Bruyne still sidelined by injuries, City's surge to the top is even more remarkable.

"Every time is a new chance and challenge to do a good game, control the aspects and try to beat them".

A repeat could be on the cards at Turf Moor given that City's current eight-match winning streak in the Premier League has seen them score 19 goals and concede only once.

Burnley are eight points clear of the relegation zone.

With 32-year-old Argentine Aguero still needing "a few weeks" to return to match fitness after testing positive for coronavirus, City will need to rely on Jesus.

It was a bad mistake from Pope but Jesus wasn't complaining about the gift.

Questions have been asked about whether Jesus - who has scored 75 goals in 172 games for the club - is clinical enough to lead the line at City.

In fact, it was nearly like a training ground session at times in the first half, with the visitors creating little in the way of chances, but dominating possession of the ball in trademark fashion.

City however dominated, and they made it count in the 38th minute as Gundogan spotted Sterling making a run into the six-yard box, and found him with a lovely assist across the face of goal, with Sterling tapping into the empty net for a 2-0 lead.

Ederson escaped with a yellow card after the City keeper clattered Erik Pieters outside his area, but that was a rare scare on a flawless night for the leaders.