Manchester City have issued a real statement of intent by defeating Premier League title rivals Chelsea on their own patch at Stamford Bridge.
Defending that trophy for the third time in four seasons, Pep Guardiola and his star-studded team edged out the Blues with a superb performance this Saturday lunchtime.
And that 1-0 verdict was coupled up with an eye-catching defeat for Manchester United against Aston Villa.
Gabriel Jesus settled the scores after 53 minutes against Chelsea, who overcame City in an FA Cup semi-final and Champions League showpiece last season.
Further chances were passed up by Jack Grealish and Kevin de Bruyne as Romelu Lukaku had one ruled out for an offside flag at the other end.
Despite the narrow scoreline, though, there was only one side who deserved three points in west London.
Catch up with our score updates and reaction to that result below.
Key Events
London is blue... City blue!
What a day for City and what a day for those supporters at Stamford Bridge. We really have missed those scenes at a testing time for us all in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Gabriel Jesus stole the headlines with a match-winning strike.
However, as the Brazilian suggested himself, he was not the solitary reason for that victory - which sent rivals such as the Blues and United a clear statement in this early Premier League title race.
As always, thank you for joining us. Hope you enjoyed the coverage.
Jesus explains City tactics
Gabriel Jesus has played down the significance of his match-winning goal for City against Chelsea as he explained Pep Guardiola's tactics at Stamford Bridge.
In a hard-fought lunchtime showdown, the visitors defeated one of their rivals for the Premier League title - and also exacted revenge for defeat in the Champions League final last season.
Though they only managed a narrow result in the end, Guardiola and his star-studded team were full value for three points on an afternoon where neighbours Manchester United slipped up at Old Trafford against Aston Villa.
Jesus saw one attempt cleared off the line, before Jack Grealish and returning City playmaker Kevin De Bruyne also went close to scoring - but the Brazilian did eventually net.
Read the full story and comments from Jesus here >>>
Guardiola on Jesus
What the City manager had to say about his match-winner;
Gabriel is always giving everything, you cannot say anything to him, every single game he runs for his teammates, every single action, that's why these types of players make me so happy. [We've] Come here and played our game. Sometimes you cannot do it if the opponent is better, we were encouraged to play high and they could not make the build-up like they are masters, they are so good, and that's why I'm pleased for the way we played. .."
Gabriel Jesus
A few thoughts from match-winner Gabriel Jesus on the game at Stamford Bridge. We will have more from the Brazilian on the MEN website shortly;
It's not about the message [to other clubs]. We always try to play good, sometimes we are not playing good in the game - but if we hold we can attack, we have a lot of top players to create chances and score goals. I never think I can turn properly, because sometimes it's difficult to play back, but I turn good and I can shoot. Yes, it's a bit lucky. but I'm happy to score that goal."
Who gets your MOM vote?
Share your thoughts with fellow City supporters below;
The records continue to tumble
Pep Guardiola will, no doubt, claim the only thing that mattered was three points at Stamford Bridge.
However, in beating Chelsea this lunchtime, the Spaniard has now clocked up the most wins of any City manager in history. Add that to his record-number of trophies, too.
That must have also been one of his sweetest for some time, as well, given what happened in the UCL final at the start of this summer.
Champions! So says Liam Gallagher
It's fair to say there are a countless number of delighted City fans out there and one of the most famous - singer/songwriter Liam Gallagher - has certainly been impressed with what he's seen this lunchtime;
What a result for City!
There goes the full-time whistle and City have reigned supreme at Stamford Bridge to beat one of their Premier League title rivals 1-0.
Gabriel Jesus was the man who grabbed the winning goal - but he was not alone in issuing this statement against the team who pipped them to the Champions League last season.
Stay tuned for reaction from Guardiola and pundits etc etc.
Four minutes added on!
A few minutes left to hold on as City close in on a memorable victory.
There has been a late goal at Old Trafford, too, as Aston Villa take the lead against United...
Bernardo Silva
I'm sure there are thousands who agree with our man;
Foden OFF, Fernandinho ON.
Grealish OFF, Sterling ON.
A tense feeling at Stamford Bridge
Okay, we are only a few games into the season, but this would be a HUGE statement if City hold on.
Pep clearly thinks so, too. Having cut a relaxed figure in the first half, the animated Spaniard is now kicking every ball with his side from the touchline...
Chance! Wide from Laporte
Another good opportunity for the away side.
It's been created from a set-piece - but after beating the offside trap, returning centre-back Laporte can only prod wide on the stretch. Pep makes a late change, meanwhile...
Mahrez ON, de Bruyne OFF.
Booking for Chelsea
Bernardo draws a foul from Alonso and the Chelsea man is shown a yellow card for his troubles. You have to say, the Portuguese forward has been one of the stand-out performers this lunchtime.
It's still 1-0 to City and there are 13 minutes left to play.
Into the final 15 minutes
After that frantic few minutes - at either end of the pitch - City hold firm and continue to carve out chances. You get the feeling they have to take one, though, to avoid a nervy finale to this showdown.
Chances go begging for City
Further attempts from Grealish and KDB there. City simply HAVE to make one of these second-half opportunites count - or they run the risk of allowing Chelsea back into the game...
Booking for Laporte
He becomes the first City player to be booked, but Chelsea do waste the following set-piece.
Putting the ball down around 20 yards out, Alonso curls one straight into the wall with his left-foot and the away side get rid of the corner that follows, too, rather comfortably.
Chelsea goal RULED OUT!
It could and, perhaps, ought to have been 2-0 there as Mendy AND Thiago Silva come to Chelsea's rescue.
At the other end, meanwhile, an offside flag against Havertz means Lukaku putting one into the net won't count and City are still ahead.
Let's catch our breath after that little exchange...
A beautiful sight for City fans
Here is the moment Jesus put City ahead on 53 minutes;
How do City approach this now?
A few thoughts from our chief City reporter Stuart Brennan;
Cancelo might get a fortunate assist for that goal, as his musguided pass reached Jesus in the box, but he deserved that. The Portugal international has been outstanding so far... his directness and pace down the left causing plenty of problems, and he led the initial attack that brought the goal. City now need to decide whether to sit and counter or try to maintain their high-energy pressing game."
GOAL CITY!
Jesus has opened the scoring!
It really is no more than City deserve on the evidence of the opening 53 minutes here. A bit of pinball in the City area eventually falls to the Brazilian - and he picks out the bottom corner nicely.
If you know, you know...
City have started this half well, picking up where they left off. It's also worth mentioning they're now kicking towards the Kevin de Bruyne end from 2017. If you know, you know...
Grealish attempt
A couple of promising moments for City in attacking quarters, there, with Grealish curling a sighter wide after KDB saw an attempt charged down on the edge of the area.
Can the visitors make this promising spell count?
No changes at the break
It's as you were - for both sides - apart from the injury to James.
He was forced off through injury in the first half.
Do you agree with these marks?
How the City players have rated in the opening 45 minutes;
Ederson: Cool in possession - 7
Walker: Keeping Chelsea locked down - 7
Dias: No alarms with Lukaku - 8
Laporte: Steady and focussed - 8
Cancelo: Sound defence, attacking value - 8
Rodri: A defensive midfielder makes a difference - 8
De Bruyne: Not quite at it - 6
Foden: Difficult role, doing it well - 7
Jesus: Excellent press, attacking well - 7
Bernardo: Incredible work-rate - 7
Grealish: Causing problems down the left - 7
Honours even at HALF-TIME
We expected it to be tight. We expected City to dominate possession. We expected Chelsea to pose a threat on the counter.
All three of those points have been in clear vision at Stamford Bridge, but that late attempt from Jesus aside we have yet to see any clear-cut chances forged by the two title contenders.
Stay tuned for more score updates upon the restart...
Gabriel Jesus - attempt!
A snap-shot from the City forward goes wide.
That's the best opportunity of the opening 45 minutes IMO, but the Brazilian was unable to bring it down with any real conviction and it flies away for a goal-kick.
We're goalless with a couple of minutes to play until half-time.
Break in play
Pep took advantage of a break in play to lecture Bernardo this time. I think he wants him running in behind a little more - Jesus has been getting plenty of ball down the right, but he's so far unable to fashion any chances.
Chelsea are not exactly biding their time - it has been a real struggle for them to break out of the City press, which has been excellent. The question is how long the Blues can keep that up, and whether they can make their superiority pay while they have it.
Set-piece plan for City
Are set-pieces going to be THE key in this one?
An opening for City...
A fortunate bounce almost allows Foden in there.
City have had the possession to suggest they warrant an opening, but that moment centrally came as the result of a deflection. Alonso just about recovers, though.
