Manchester City laid down a significant early marker in the Premier League title race with a commanding dismissal of champions Chelsea at Etihad Stadium. Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho's turbulent week - shaped by the controversy surrounding the demotion of medical staff Eva Carneiro and Jon Fearn - ended in misery as he saw his side outclassed by a resurgent City. Sergio Aguero had been thwarted three times by Chelsea keeper Asmir Begovic before giving City a deserved lead just after the half-hour, an advantage they never looked like losing. This was a powerful statement of intent.