Julian Alvarez celebrated his 24th birthday in style as the Manchester City striker scored twice to inspire a 3-1 win against Burnley on Wednesday.
Alvarez bagged his brace in the first half to ensure City had no problems brushing aside outclassed Burnley at the Etihad Stadium.
The Argentine's double took his goal tally for the season to 15 in all competitions, including seven in his last seven appearances.
Rodri netted City's third goal after the interval as the Premier League champions made it eight successive wins in all competitions.
Ameen Al Dakhil's stoppage-time goal was no consolation for Burnley, who sit second bottom of the table.
Second-placed City remain hot on the heels of leaders Liverpool as the title race gathers pace.
There was more good news for Pep Guardiola as Erling Haaland came off the bench for the last 20 minutes, marking the City striker's return from a foot injury that had sidelined him since December 6.
Alvarez's goals have covered more than adequately during Haaland's absence, but the Norwegian will add another level of menace to the treble winners as they try to overhaul Liverpool and win a fourth successive title.
After a worrying wobble before Christmas, City are rounding into form and fitness at just the right time.
Slowly worked back in the mix with three substitute appearances, De Bruyne captained City in his first start since suffering a hamstring injury in the opening game of the season at Burnley.
The Belgian midfielder almost made an instant impact with a free-kick that clipped the Burnley wall and looped just over.
City had won their previous 12 games against the Clarets, who had not taken three points from a league visit to the blue half of Manchester since 1963. Meanwhile, ‘Outstanding’ Liverpool thrashed Chelsea to stretch Premier League lead.
Liverpool remain on course to send Jurgen Klopp off as a Premier League winner after Chelsea were thrashed 4-1 at Anfield on Wednesday.
Conor Bradley was the star of the show as the 20-year-old right-back scored and teed up goals for Diogo Jota and Dominik Szoboszlai.
Christopher Nkunku reduced Chelsea's arrears, but Luis Diaz rounded off the scoring and a thrilling Liverpool performance.
Indeed, the scoreline flattered the visitors as Darwin Nunez hit the woodwork four times, including from the penalty spot in the first half.
Nunez had five shots inside the first 18 minutes as a combination of Djordje Petrovic and the woodwork on two occasions kept the Uruguayan at bay.
Jota was not so forgiving when he carved through the heart of the Chelsea defence to slam home on 23 minutes.
Bradley has been a revelation since a knee injury to Alexander-Arnold opened his path to the first team.
The Northern Irishman produced a finish that Alexander-Arnold would have been proud of as he burst down the right and fired low and hard into the far corner to double Liverpool's lead.
Mauricio Pochettino admitted his side need to be much better to stand any chance when the sides meet again in the League Cup final on February 25.
Chelsea were handed a brief reprieve when Nunez hit the post from the spot after Jota had been stood on by Benoit Badiashile.
But Liverpool's third did not take long to arrive after the break as another purposeful run and pinpoint cross from Bradley picked out Szoboszlai to head home.
