Manchester City have got off to a flying start to the 2017/18 season but surprisingly theirs is not the best in 25 years of the Premier League.
The 25 points Pep Guardiola’s team have claimed from their opening nine fixtures matches their previous best, when they achieved eight wins and a draw under Roberto Mancini at the start of 2011/12. The current team have a marginally better goal difference at the same stage (+28 to +26).
These starts are eclipsed by Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea of 2005/06, who rattled off nine straight victories from opening day.
But Guardiola’s team would better Mourinho’s record if they triumph at West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.
Chelsea's perfect run was stopped by Everton in 2005/06, who held them to a 1-1 draw at Goodison Park to take their points total to 28 after 10 matches, with a goal difference of +20.
Mancini's 2011/12 side also reached 28 points after 10 matches but did so with a goal difference of +28.
This means Man City will match the same points return of both sides but enjoy a superior goal difference to Chelsea’s +20 and the Citizens' +28, if they record a victory at The Hawthorns.
Best starts to Premier League campaign after 9 matches
| Season | Club | P | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Final pos |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005/06 | Chelsea | 9 | 23 | 3 | 20 | 27 | 1st |
| 2011/12 | Man City | 9 | 33 | 7 | 26 | 25 | 1st |
| 2017/18 | Man City | 9 | 32 | 4 | 28 | 25 | ? |
Another win for the league leaders at West Bromwich Albion on Saturday and they will better the tally the Blues managed after 10 matches of their memorable title-winning campaign of 12 years ago.
