Manchester City’s record 10th straight win within reach when Watford visit Etihad Stadium

Jesus Navas said: “It is not only that we have won these three games, it is that we didn’t concede any goals and we created a lot of chances. We are really happy."

Manchester City’s Jesus Navas has been impressed by his side’s scoring and their defence to start off the season. Peter Powell / EPA

Jesus Navas says Manchester City’s title rivals should not expect the Premier League leaders’ standards to slip after maintaining their faultless start to the season.

City beat Everton 2-0 at Goodison Park on Sunday to move top of the league and continue an impressive start to as they bid to win the title for a third time in five years.

Second-half strikes from Aleksandar Kolarov and Samir Nasri proved decisive, taking City’s goal tally to eight from three games while they are yet to concede.

Navas said: “It is not only that we have won these three games, it is that we didn’t concede any goals and we created a lot of chances. We are really happy.

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“It was a very important win and also two really nice goals. We worked really hard in training and luckily we got the three points. This is what we wanted.

“We need to keep the same attitude, working really well defensively and also creating a lot of chances. That is the way to win more games this season.”

City’s victory also equalled a 103-year-old club record of nine successive top-flight victories, which stretches back to their strong end to the 2014/15 campaign, when six victories to conclude the season lifted them from fourth to second.

They will aim for a record 10th successive league victory when they meet Watford at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, and will be confident of achieving that against a side who have drawn their first three games of the season and last won a game at City in 1987.

Joe Hart, the City goalkeeper, said he had little interest in the bid for 10 wins in succession, and was focused on ensuring the league title returns to the Etihad Stadium.

“We’ve come a little way but there were six wins at the end of a dead season,” he said.

“It’s great to set records but we’d like that to be a record this season. Nine this season, that’s what we’re focused on now.

“Last season’s gone. We’ve made those mistakes and we’re starting again.

“We’ve started the season well but we appreciate that starting the season means nothing. It’s a long season.”

Manager Manuel Pellegrini is pleased his side are taking advantage of the relatively light workload of the early season, wary that tougher times lie ahead.

He said: “We are now just playing one game a week but from September we will play eight games a month until the end of the season. It is important to have a strong squad.”

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