Manchester City thrashed Tottenham Hotspur with an outstanding performance, as Pep Guardiola’s men made it 16 straight Premier League wins.
City romped to another victory and took their lead atop the table to 14 points as they blew away Mauricio Pochettino’s men.
Ilkay Gundogan opened the scoring after 14 minutes, heading home a Leroy Sane corner when left completely unmarked eight yards from goal.
Hugo Lloris was called into action to deny both Sane and Sterling during the first period also.
Both Harry Kane and Dele Alli were perhaps lucky to remain on the pitch for reckless challenges in the second half, before De Bruyne doubled the home side’s advantage.
Little more than a minute after being clattered by Alli, the brilliant Belgian drove at the heart of the Spurs defence, before thrashing past Lloris with his left foot.
Gabriel Jesus missed a penalty, before Raheem Sterling made it three nil, tapping home after another swift counter.
The England forward is now City’s outright top scorer, and he took full advantage of an error from Eric Dier to make it 4-0, nipping past Hugo Lloris and rolling into an empty net.
Christian Eriksen struck a scarcely-deserved consolation for Spurs, but they became merely the latest side to be put to the City sword.
For City the win completed a clean sweep of all of the Premier League's other Champions League sides this season, with victories over Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United and now Tottenham, while Guardiola's men have also beaten Arsenal.
Talking points
Manchester City continued their relentless march to a first title under Pep Guardiola with a 16th straight Premier League win, writes David McDonnell.
Goals from Ilkay Gundogan, Kevin De Bruyne and a Raheem Sterling double saw City open up a 14-point lead over local rivals Manchester United as Guardiola’s men humiliated Tottenham .
City were even able to afford the luxury of missing a second-half penalty as Gabriel Jesus hit a post and Raheem Sterling put the rebound over.
Gundogan opened the scoring in the 14th minute with a free header from a Leroy Sane corner to set Guardiola’s side on their way to a convincing win.
Tottenham’s frustration boiled over with England duo Harry Kane and Dele Alli both earning yellow cards for nasty fouls on Sterling and De Bruyne respectively.
Alli, whose form has deserted him of late, was lucky not to be shown a straight red for his foul, a vicious stamp on De Bruyne which drew a furious reaction from Guardiola.
De Bruyne responded by scoring City’s second with a thunderous shot, while Sterling added the final flourish with two goals late on to take his tally to 15 for the season.
Christian Eriksen scored for the visitors in added time, but even that blemish on the scoreline could take nothing away from another City masterclass.
Having challenged for the title in the past two seasons, Tottenham - currently seventh - are now 21 points behind City and must focus now on trying to secure a top-four finish.
Goal! Manchester City 4-1 Tottenham (Eriksen)
Lovely drive from Eriksen from the edge of the area gets Spurs a consolation.
But there’s no celebration, for obvious reasons.
Goal! Manchester City 4-0 Tottenham (Sterling)
Eric Dier with the first horrific mistake, then Lloris hopelessly falls for the Sterling feint.
It’s through the Frenchman’s legs and Sterling slots into the empty net.
Four and City now have a 16th consecutive win.
Phil Foden on now for City with eight minutes remaining.
City fans boo Dele Alli as he makes way following his reckless challenge earlier.
Dembele, it must be said, has had a nightmare today in the Spurs midfield.
Goal! Man City 3-0 Tottenham (Sterling)
Sterling grabs his 14th goal of the season.
It’s unselfish from Sane to square it to the England international, but Gundogan’s pass was sublime too.
Easy for City today, who have been excellent without arguably their best player.
Winks nudges the ball inside the penalty are after fantastic work from Lamela on the right.
Fernandinho leaves a leg out and the England man is too honest, he could go down there!
City survive the scare!
Gabriel misses from the spot!
De Bruyne drives past Vertonghen, whose loose leg takes out his compatriot, penalty!
Gabriel steps up and it’s back off the post!
Sterling follows up first and his effort is over the bar. A let-off for Spurs.
Goal! Man City 2-0 Tottenham (De Bruyne)
Straight up after going off following the challenge from Alli and De Bruyne drives home the second.
It’s powerful but Lloris gets a hand to it and should keep it out.
Game over now you would suspect!
Mazy dribble from Sane off the left and he drives into the area.
A shot with a short back lift is well saved by Lloris and Sterling misses the rebound.
Alli then in with a naughty challenge. It’s over the ball and the studs land on De Bruyne’s shin. He receives a yellow, but it seems like it should be a red.
A rocket of a shot form Kane and Ederson tips it around the post.
Close for Spurs, who have started to get on top. Eriksen having a lot of the ball, but yet to time the through ball.
Surely that will change if the Dane keeps getting opportunities?
A late lunge from Kane there, could it have been red? City certainly felt so.
Game still in the balance, but City feel the more composed team in the final third.
Important phase of the game, this, can Spurs draw level?
Son is in at the back post!
But the Korean doesn’t drive to reach the ball and Sane gets back to put him off just in time.
Slow start form City.
Sterling dances across the pitch and the ball is cut out by Vertonghen.
Gundogan picks it up and curls it to the right corner, but it’s easily saved by Lloris.
Penalty?
Spurs almost find a way in behind City with Son lively in the move.
Ederson is quick off his line to cut out a dangerous ball and it’s immediately sent up the other end.
City claim for a penalty, but it’s waived away, frantic end to the half.
Aguero took aim and his shot is blocked by Rose’s arm, but it’s in front of his body - would have been harsh.
Challenges flying in now and Alli is late on Gundogan.
Could be a tough one to contain this.
City looking to double their lead before the break. Five minutes and stoppage time remaining.
Naughty challenge from Otamendi on Kane here.
The Argentinian boots the England striker in the head.
It’s clumsy and it earns him a yellow card.
Kane... so close!!
Wonderful, low drive from the edge of the area.
The England man guides a bouncing ball with his instep and it’s beaten Ederson but also just wide of the post.
So close to two!
De Bruyne slips in Sane but the German’s poor touch is too heavy and allows Spurs to recover.
The ball is recycled and Aguero drives just wide of the post.
Spurs almost in there but City scramble it clear.
Trippier is down hurt after taking a tumble.
We’ve got a break in play as the physios come on to attend to the Spurs man.
De Bruyne out and dribbling forward before breaking the lines to find Aguero in the final third.
It’s quickly moved wide with Aguero gathering again and curling an effort that dips in front of Lloris, who parries the ball out and fortunately for Spurs, it lands safely.
City looking close to doubling the lead.
Spurs struggling to play out from the back here.
Lloris under pressure and almost forced into turning the ball over.
De Bruyne pinches possession in midfield and surges forward, though his effort is partially blocked and doesn’t threaten Lloris’ goal.
City now on top and ask for a penalty!
Rose is clumsy, pushing Mangala in the back as the ball was pumped into the penalty area.
Graham Poll insists it is a penalty, though it was only a light push.
Goal! Man City 1-0 Tottenham (Gundogan)
A bullet header from Gundogan from a corner flies past Lloris.
A poor goal to concede from Pochettino’s point of view.
Spurs had left two up and were maybe short of markers.
Son brings it down the left and cuts it back to Eriksen in the middle.
His curling ball to the back post is heading towards Trippier but Kane attempts an audacious header to cut it out.
Spurs settling now.
Sane to the byline and it’s fizzed across, Aguero was waiting but it’s cut out.
De Bruyne swings the free-kick into the near post and the Argentinian crouches.
The header is directed to the near post and Lloris is beaten, but it’s narrowly wide.
Tough challenge from Dembele on De Bruyne, who sits up and motions to the referee to show a yellow card.
The referee ignores him and the games continues with City aiming to push out from the back.
Sloppy pass from De Bruyne puts Spurs in high up the pitch but the ball to Kane isn’t good enough.
Here we go, underway at the Etihad!
Kane got away from Delph there but it’s a free-kick for handling.
City face a tough task playing out from the back with Spurs pushing up extremely high.