Manchester City delivered a devastating attacking display to humble beleaguered Tottenham 6-0 yesterday, equaling Spurs' heaviest English Premier League defeat in 17 years.

Jesus Navas' goal after just 14 seconds laid the platform for yet another huge win for City against a supposed top-four rival at the Etihad Stadium, with Sergio Aguero netting in each half to add to an own goal by Sandro and a brilliant strike by Alvaro Negredo.

City was 5-0 ahead after 56 minutes and Navas finished off the rout in injury time — his team has now scored 18 goals in its last three home games.

Manuel Pellegrini's side stayed six points behind leader Arsenal (28) and just needs to sort out its dreadful away form to be in contention for a second league title in three years.

Tottenham is languishing in ninth place despite spending around 100 million pounds US$160 million) on mostly attacking talent in the summer.

And with Manchester United up next for Spurs this weekend, they could yet find themselves even further out of the title picture. With just nine goals in 12 league games, scoring has become a serious problem since the summer departure to Real Madrid of Gareth Bale. Not since a 1-7 loss to Newcastle in December 1996 have Spurs been beaten by a six-goal margin.

City, meanwhile, remains the enigma of the season. Flawless in six matches at the Etihad, it has picked up just four points so far from a possible 18 away.

As so often at home, City exploded out of the traps and had the game sewn up at halftime — with a helping hand from Spurs ‘keeper Hugo Lloris.

From the kickoff, Tottenham played the ball back to the French international whose clearance went straight to Aguero.

Lloris saved from the Argentine striker but the ball rolled to Navas whose chip curled over the out-of-position keeper to give City the lead.

It was the second-fastest goal of the season after the wind-assisted one scored by Stoke City goalie Asmir Begovic against Southampton in 13 seconds.

"It was a difficult start, conceding after 15 seconds. That puts your plans in doubts and everything you've been preparing," Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas told Sky Sports.

City's residence in the top four may prove short lived, however, as derby rival United will move above it if it prevails at Cardiff City in the late game.

On Saturday, surprise package Southampton was brought back down to earth by Arsenal as the Gunners extended their Premier League lead with a 2-0 win and Liverpool was held to a 3-3 draw at Everton in a pulsating Merseyside derby.

Victory left Arsenal four points above Liverpool, while Chelsea leapfrogged Southampton into third place — level on points with Liverpool — after winning 3-0 at West Ham United.