Manchester City have set a new English top-flight record for the most wins in a single calendar year after cruising to a 4-0 victory against Newcastle United at St James' Park on Sunday.
A first-half masterclass from full-back Joao Cancelo saw the Portugal international produce a goal and an assist before the half-hour mark, setting up Ruben Dias to head home a third-minute opener, before rifling in a goal of his own with a brilliant 20-yard strike into the top-left corner.
The Citizens added a third in the 63rd minute through top-goalscorer Riyad Mahrez, following a curling Oleksandr Zinchenko cross from the left, before Raheem Sterling tapped in from close range four minutes from time to seal a comfortable four-goal win for Pep Guardiola's men.
Another record broken! 👏#ManCity pic.twitter.com/MPBJY7za8S
— Manchester City (@ManCity) December 19, 2021
Man City's 34th victory in 2021 means that they have surpassed the previous top-flight record set by Liverpool back in 1982.
The Sky Blues have also become the first team in top-flight history to win 17 away matches in a single calendar year, which includes seven victories from nine league games this season.
The Premier League champions remain at the top of the table and will stay at the summit this Christmas after extended their lead to four points, though that gap could be reduced to one point if Jurgen Klopp's side win away at Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday afternoon.
Nine of the last 12 Premier League teams who have been top of the table at Christmas have gone on to lift the title, a statistic which bodes well for Guardiola's side heading into the second half of the campaign.
Oliver Thomas
