Pep Guardiola said his Manchester City side were “back” on Sunday after they outclassed Chelsea 3-1 at Stamford Bridge to move into the top five of the Premier League.

City struck three times in 16 minutes in the first half with Ilkay Gundogan, Phil Foden and Kevin de Bruyne on target as the visitors sent out a warning to the title contenders.

“We played really well. Unfortunately the last goal but the result at Stamford Bridge is fantastic. Today (Sunday) we were back like we were. An important win at Chelsea away,” Guardiola said.

“The Premier League is weird for everything. Everything is weird, just have to be focused during the games but otherwise relax. Hopefully in the Premier League in the last six, seven games we can be there fighting.”

More impressive was the fact that Guardiola was without six players who were isolating because of a Covid-19 outbreak at the club.

“The result is incredible for us, especially the way that we played,” Guardiola said. “Chelsea are one of the strongest teams, but we had a plan and tried to play how we’ve done in the past and it worked, the players were fantastic.”

While City are back, Chelsea appear to be going backwards after a fourth defeat in six league games.

“For 10 minutes we were good, then they started to play and we concede two poor goals back-to-back in the game. It knocked us,” Lampard, whose side have dropped to eighth in the table, said.

“Serious lessons in the first half, good character in the second half but then the game was done.”