History sounds caution on City's flying start

After enjoying a perfect start to the 2016/17 Premier League season with five wins from as many matches, Pep Guardiola has played down early talk of Manchester City easing their way to the title and his caution is backed up by history.

"We are happy but we know that still we have a lot of things to [do] to get better," he said after his side's 4-0 victory over AFC Bournemouth. "I know we are going to lose some games and it is important when that happens to be stable and not forget what you must do."

Of the seven clubs to have won their first five matches in the PL, only two have gone on to be crowned champions. On both occasions that was Chelsea, firstly under Jose Mourinho in 2005/06, then under Carlo Ancelotti in 2009/10.

A better reason why Man City's players will not be getting carried away is the reminder that they started last season in similar fashion under Manuel Pellegrini but ended the campaign battling for fourth with Manchester United.

Others to have fallen away after five opening wins are Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal and Newcastle United.

The latter were one of only three teams to extend the perfect start to six matches, something Guardiola's team can match at Swansea City on Saturday, but Newcastle faded to finish the season sixth.

To surpass Chelsea's record of winning their first nine matches in 2005/06, City would have to beat Swansea, Tottenham Hotspur, Southampton, Everton and West Bromwich Albion.

Teams winning opening five PL matches