“We’ve got Guardiola, we’ve got Guardiola,” was the delirious chant as Pep’s team rampaged to another big victory. And, yes, the genius manager is the author of this stunning story.

Triumph here came with two goals from Sergio Aguero as City became the first team in the Premier League era to score 100 goals in a calendar year.

Other numbers are even more important.

This win put Pep Guardiola’s men a full 16 points clear of third-placed Chelsea at the halfway stage of the season. They are 20 points ahead of Liverpool and 21 of Arsenal.

These are phenomenal figures, crazy figures; the consequence of dropping only two points in half a League season. It is a unique achievement in the proud history of English football.

As the home crowd sang lustily in praise of Guardiola, the rest of us wondered where the story will end. Can they go unbeaten through the whole campaign? Can they top a century of goals? How many trophies will they capture with their glorious football?

The question for all opponents is more urgent and simply put. The answer has confounded everyone.

How do you stop City and their manager?

Some teams like Spurs have tried pressing them hard and high. Many others, including Manchester United, have tried parking the bus. They all get despatched one way or another.

Bournemouth’s theory, from the bright mind of their impressive young boss Eddie Howe, was to try a tactic of two solid lines of defence, no more than five yards apart, planted 35 to 40 yards from their own goal.

The idea was to squeeze space for City to play in their most creative area, and with the two walls of players so close, prevent Kevin De Bruyne and David Silva weaving their magic between the lines.

If City wanted to go over the top, then they would catch the attacking runners offside, or they would at least be isolated.

Oh, and the other strategy was to waste time at every opportunity by taking an age over goal kicks and dead balls.

For nearly half an hour it worked a treat.

Bournemouth even had an early chance to score on a rare break, when Junior Stansilas sent a snap shot just wide of goal. He was injured in the process and the visitors returned to their solid walls.

Guardiola was frustrated on the touchlines, but a goal always seems to come for his team, even when they are below their best. They scored in the 27th minute when a burst of pressure on the visiting defence forced a loose pass.

Manchester City pounced in a flash; Fernandinho chipped into the area and Aguero stooped to conquer, heading home his 100th goal at the Etihad Stadium.

Only one goal conceded by half-time allowed Bournemouth to retain hope. It was soon squashed.

Guardiola responded with a tactical adjustment, to make Raheem Sterling play more centrally, and reward came swiftly as the England star raced into the area in the 52nd minute to score from a cute flick by Aguero.

The third goal came in the 79th minute, from a delightful passing move that ripped through the opposition; the final cross from substitute Bernardo Silva headed in from close range by Aguero.

Bournemouth’s resistance had proved futile. They were broken like all the others and another thrilling counter-attack delivered a final goal, this time Danilo slotting home from Sterling’s pass.

There was particular praise from Guardiola afterwards for Sterling, who has improved so much this season.

“He is becoming a football player,” said the City manager. “He knows what to do now when the ball comes. He knows when he has to dribble and when to pass.

“Raheem is scoring goals. He is so loved in the locker room. The most difficult thing in football at his age is to maintain his level of performance. He is doing that.”

The whole team is maintaining it --- thanks to the eagle eye and intense work ethic of Pep Guardiola.

MAN CITY: Ederson; Walker, Otamendi, Kompany, Delph (Danilo 81st); Fernandinho, De Bruyne (Gundogan 74th); Sterling, D Silva, Sane (B Silva 67th); Aguero.

BOURNEMOUTH: Begovic; S Cook, Ake, Simpson (Mousset 72nd); Smith, Gosling, Durman, Fraser; Ibe, Stanislas (Pugh 11th); Wilson (Afobe 72nd).

Man of the match: SERGIO AGUERO --- two superb goals and a brilliant assist for another; a classic striker’s contribution.

Referee: M Jones.