Manchester City midfielder David Silva struck twice as they won 2-0 at Stoke City on Monday night.

The Spaniard slotted in Raheem Sterling's cross to give the visitors an early lead before finishing off a slick passing move after the break.

Sterling later pounced on a loose touch following a controversial drop-ball but Badou Ndiaye recovered just in time.

Pep Guardiola's side need just two more wins to be crowned league champions.

City boss Guardiola remarked afterwards: "We created enough chances and we were solid. I am so happy, it is the first time after 18 years we beat Stoke home and away and now we are two or three games away from being champions.

"We have one week training in better conditions now, we will see our draw in the Champions League next Friday. Sooner or later we will be champions if we play like this.

"It doesn't matter when we win it."

He also remarked: "Now we have three weeks off, we go to Abu Dhabi and will come back strong. It is a tough winter for everybody so we are off straight away and we look forward to the weather.

"Today we were solid. David Silva controls the tempo. He has the skills no doubt about that but in the bad moments he is there to control the game and he is an aggressive competitor.

"To be champions is tough, it's complicated. Our club does not have a history of a lot of titles. As soon as possible will be better but now we can be relaxed, the players go away with their international teams. It doesn't matter where we win it.

"I understand that it is important to our fans to win it against United but the target is the next game at Everton. After that, if we play like today sooner or later we will be champions."