Manchester City went up a level against Chelsea, Vincent Kompany says
Monday 17 August 2015 14:12, UK
Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany says his side went "another level up" as they landed an early blow on title rivals Chelsea.
The Belgian defender got on the scoresheet for the second game running as the hosts demolished the Premier League champions at the Etihad, winning 3-0 in an emphatic display of intent.
City also beat West Brom by the same scoreline in their season opener and have started the campaign looking sharp and hungry, already opening a five-point gap over Jose Mourinho’s side in the process.
Manuel Pellegrini’s team will now hope to maintain that momentum as they travel to Everton next weekend.
"Against West Brom we thought it was a pretty perfect performance but this was another level up,” Kompany said. “When you do it against big teams, big wins like this for us, it is what we play football for.
"The five points mean absolutely nothing but it is a blow to one of the direct contenders. They will need to shake it off over the next couple of weeks.
"For us this game only means something if we go on and produce something special again at Goodison, and it will probably be even harder again.
“We have a whole week to prepare for this game and that is what it will take to get a good result again."
City rocked Chelsea from the outset with goalkeeper Asmir Begovic having to deny Sergio Aguero on three occasions before the striker broke the deadlock after half an hour.
Kompany made the result safe after 79 minutes before Fernandinho added a third late on.
City looked a different side from the one that surrendered the title they won in 2014 in poor fashion in the second half of last season and the skipper says they are more motivated than ever.
"I guess it is the advantage of having a lot of players who have had time to think a little bit on holiday and come back with more motivation than ever,” Kompany said. “At the same time, we prepared really well and I think we are peaking at the right time."
City also looked defensively solid with Kompany, whose form dipped last season, shining alongside the similarly impressive Eliaquim Mangala.
The Frenchman tweeted after the game: "2 games, 2 victories, 2 clean sheet! I like it ! I am a Citizen. I never give up."
Kompany also praised his team-mate, adding: "I thought Mangala was superb, as he was last week."
