Monday 2 October 2017 11:47, UK
Manchester City put a marker down to the whole of the footballing world when they defeated Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, according to Stuart Pearce.
City produced a dominant display in their 1-0 success over the reigning Premier League champions Chelsea on Saturday evening, extending their unbeaten run this season to nine games.
Kevin De Bruyne's 67th-minute strike against his former club ensured City remained at the top of league, alongside rivals Manchester United, and Pearce believes their showing made a clear statement across the whole of football.
"I thought for 80 minutes, to control the game at one of your leading rivals - the Premier League champions - was an outstanding performance.," Pearce told Premier League Daily.
"City put a marker down on Saturday to the whole footballing world and said we're serious contenders now."
It was Pep Guardiola's first-ever victory against Chelsea in all competitions, while City lengthened their run of consecutive clean-sheets in the league to four.
And Pearce, who managed City between 2005-07, was pleased to see the side iron out some of their previous frailties.
"Some of the questions marks you put against City in the times gone by: the goalkeeping scenario, the defence looking a bit shaky - all of those things I think they answered at Stamford Bridge," added Pearce.
De Bruyne's goal marked his first of the league campaign and, after hitting the woodwork nine times last season, Pearce feels he's now back to his very best.
"If you rewind the clock back a year I think he started the season brilliantly. He then went off the boil a little and City suffered accordingly.
"He looks as though he's back to his best again. The rotation throughout their team is fantastic.
"Him and Silva rotate around the team and get on the ball creating chances and scoring them."
