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Manchester City are enjoying an excellent start to the season and after 17 games in all competitions the ratings for the players so far reflect that.
Manchester City were 13th in the Premier League table during the September international break, fifth in October and now sit second as the domestic action takes a breather in November.
Their rise has been a story of steady improvement over 17 games in all competitions. Three of those have ended in defeat but only one has come in the previous 14 games.
They recovered from that loss at Aston Villa to record four successive wins in all competitions and a 3-0 win against Liverpool last weekend was the statement result and performance that proved Pep Guardiola's side are well and truly back.
With the action coming thick and fast when the Premier League resumes, this is how the players* have rated so far this season:
Gianluigi Donnarumma: First hint of a mistake came against Bournemouth when his failure to deal with a corner led to a goal, but he felt he was fouled as the ball came into the box. Wasn't the most convincing moment, but other than that has been outstanding and his presence and command of his area is proving vital in a season where set-pieces are playing such a big part. 8
James Trafford: Good performance at Swansea is all he can do. Hasn't been involved in a Premier League game since August 31 and difficult to see when that changes. Doing his job when called upon, however, which is what City need. 7
Rico Lewis: Has clearly lost the right-back battle to Nunes for the biggest games. Has managed to get the odd start in midfield and was excellent against Villarreal, but it didn't lead to any further action there. 6
Matheus Nunes: When Lewis started the first two Premier League games it didn't bode well for Nunes, but his response has been outstanding. A threat in the final third but his defensive work has come on leaps and bounds. 8
Abdukodir Khusanov: Looked like being Nunes' biggest challenger at right-back after a run of starts in September, but injury checked his momentum and he was poor against Swansea. 6
John Stones: Is managing to stay fit, which after the last couple of seasons is half the battle. Playing very well when he does play and making a case for getting a new contract, but finding it difficult to disrupt the Dias-Gvardiol axis. 7
Ruben Dias: Has got better and better since the arrival of Donnarumma and looks to relish playing in front of another big character. Looks like he's back to the domineering defender City had come to expect. 8
Josko Gvardiol: Has had the odd wobble this season, but established as that left-sided centre-back now for the biggest games and his form has been steadier of late. 7
Nathan Ake: Given the chance to impress as captain in that Carabao Cup win at Swansea but didn't show what was required. Looks a long way short of being involved in the biggest games. 5
Nico O'Reilly: Pocketing Salah might well be the highlight of a season that has seen him in successive England squads. Used as a midfield sub in August, he is now the first-choice left-back. Has pace and power, as well as game intelligence, and his defending is improving all the time. 9
Rayan Ait-Nouri: O'Reilly has taken advantage of Ait-Nouri's issues. Sidelined by a hamstring problem at the end of August and taken longer than expected to get back fully fit. Performance at Swansea was a disappointment and looks consigned to the bench now. 4
Rodri: Fitness issues have seen him take a backward step. Not started a game since coming off injured at Brentford on October 5 and a brief return ended with another setback. Struggling to stay fit and the concern is this might go on all season. 5
Nico Gonzalez: Those worries around Rodri are being eased by the form of Gonzalez. A little circumspect at the start of the campaign but now started five games in a row, the first time he has done that for City. At his highest level since that £50million move from Porto. 7
Bernardo Silva: Your captain starting 10 of 17 games might normally be a concern, but Guardiola has more depth than ever before and knows where and when he needs Silva. Games against the big beasts are when he proves his worth and he was outstanding against Liverpool. 8
Tijjani Reijnders: Made a really bright start to his Etihad career and has had good moments since, including the two assists against Borussia Dortmund last week. Has lost his place for the last two Premier League games, however, and the feeling persists that he hasn't kicked on as expected. 7
Phil Foden: His season got off to a false start in August but those days feel a long time ago now. The beating heart of the midfield this season, he is pulling the strings once again. His double against Dortmund was a reminder of his supreme talent, and he is relishing the responsibility given to him in the middle. 9
Rayan Cherki: Has enjoyed an excellent few weeks after an injury-disrupted start to the campaign. Four goals and four assists a good return and was brilliant against Swansea and Bournemouth. On the periphery against Liverpool, but he can have those games and is still a young footballer. 7
Oscar Bobb: Hasn't taken advantage of an encouraging start to the season and failing to deliver enough end product when he does play. Looks to be bottom of the pile when it comes to selections out wide at the moment. 5
Savinho: Remains something of an enigma. Goal and an assist against Villarreal was one of his best performances in a City shirt but hasn't lived up to those standards since and is being outshone by Doku. 7
Jeremy Doku: Enjoying his best season in a City shirt by some distance and his stunning display against Liverpool was maybe the third time this season he has delivered a performance that is right at the top of the list for his best at the club. Finding an end product on a consistent basis and proving a real threat to every defender he comes up against. 9
Omar Marmoush: Back amongst the goals at Swansea but he knows nothing he does at the moment is going to get him in the team ahead of Haaland, or Doku for that matter. Has to be ready to perform when he does get the odd chance. 6
Erling Haaland: A missed penalty against Liverpool was the first major blot on his copybook this season, but he made up for it with an excellent header to open the scoring. A tally of 19 goals in 15 games is evidence of his stunning impact and he has gone up to another level with his all-round performances as well. 10
*Players must have played five games or more in all competitions to be rated.
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