Pep Guardiola called rampant Manchester City a “joy to watch” after his side ripped apart Watford in record-breaking fashion and racked up an 8-0 win.

Last weekend’s shock loss to Norwich is now far in the rear-view mirror, thanks to the midweek Champions League triumph at Shakhtar Donetsk being followed up by the club’s biggest ever top-flight victory.

Bernardo Silva’s hat-trick was complemented by efforts David Silva, Sergio Aguero, Riyad Mahrez, Nicolas Otamendi and star man Kevin De Bruyne as Watford fell to their heaviest ever league defeat.

The key to the victory was five goals in a remarkable 18 opening minutes and City eventually finished just short of Manchester United’s Premier League record 9-0 defeat of Ipswich in 1995.

“It is weird, it is not normal,” Guardiola said of his side’s start at the Etihad Stadium. “Five shots, five goals.

“In the same time we gave them two chances to score two goals that we were lucky in this time it didn’t happen when in the past it sometimes happened.

“But the quality of the players up front made the difference, so the quality that we have is a joy to watch.

“After 5-0, the game is completely different. Analyse after that, the mood one team, the mood the other team. The relaxation you play with, the tension they play with, so it’s difficult to say.

“We were ruthless in terms of five shots, five goals. Sometimes we shoot 25 times or 15 or 20 and you cannot do it.

“So, after the Champions League and a huge trip back home, no time to prepare, rest and everything.

“It was a lovely day for all of us, for our City fans, a lovely day in the sunshine and a lot of goals.”

Provided by Press Association Sport