Kevin De Bruyne earns the praise of Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola

Kevin de Bruyne's long-range effort separated the sides at Stamford Bridge

Pep Guardiola lauded Manchester City match-winner Kevin De Bruyne after the midfielder's decisive strike in Saturday's 1-0 Premier League win at Chelsea.

De Bruyne struck a ferocious drive as City beat his former club, giving Guardiola his first win in normal time against Chelsea in eight attempts.

"Once again he showed us how good he is - he won the game," Guardiola said.

"He can do absolutely everything. Without the ball he's the most humble, the most shy guy.

"It's not easy to find that with this kind of talented player."

De Bruyne - described as a "complete player" by Chelsea head coach Antonio Conte - left Stamford Bridge for Wolfsburg in January 2014 after making only a handful of appearances for the Blues under Jose Mourinho. He moved to City for £58million 18 months later.

"That's the past - what happened, happened," De Bruyne told BT Sport.

"I don't regret coming here. It made me stronger in a lot of ways."

Despite City moving six points clear of Chelsea, Guardiola downplayed the significance of the result in the title race, pointing to the results of Manchester United and Tottenham.

"We are in September," Guardiola said.

"Chelsea won 15 (sic 13) games in a row last season. Of course this season has more problems (for them) because they play every three days.

"We have (Manchester) United. The Harry Kane team, who scores every game two or three goals. Jose with United always will be tough. That is a Jose Mourinho team.

"It will be so tough. But we're going to try."

Conte was magnanimous in defeat, accepting his side gave their all and were simply second best to a City side which suffocated Chelsea with their intensity.

And Guardiola was overjoyed with his side's performance.

Guardiola added: "We're so happy for the victory, because we're here for the result, but especially for the way we played and where we played. Stamford Bridge, my first time as a manager I was able to win here, against the last champions.

"We played with courage, to keep the ball, to make high pressing.

"After 1-0 we didn't defend. We continued to play. We created enough chances to score more goals.

"We like to be high and to play there and make them uncomfortable.

"We are able to do that because our high pressing is good. It's suicide if there's no pressure on the ball.

"We did it and we did it again."

The loss was Chelsea's second defeat from seven games, after the opening-day loss to Burnley.

Conte said: "We have to accept the result, above all because today we know that we gave everything.

"In seven games we played with Arsenal, Manchester City, Tottenham and also Everton.

"Our start wasn't so so easy. I think we have the points that we deserve."

Chelsea lost striker Alvaro Morata to an apparent hamstring problem in the first half.

Conte said: "I don't think it's a serious problem because he stopped before it will become a serious injury.

"The doctor now has to check the situation, but I don't think he's available for the national team."