Manchester City is not just off to the best start in Premier League history; its record as it nears the halfway point of its schedule is also among the best in the history of England’s top division. Through 17 games, City already has an 11-point lead at the top of the standings. It has scored 52 goals and has conceded only 11. Its record is imposing: 16 wins, 1 draw and — perhaps most important of all — zero losses.
City faces another tough test on Saturday, at home against fourth-place Tottenham Hotspur. But with an improved defense and fearsome attackers like Sergio Agüero, David Silva and Kevin de Bruyne at the team’s disposal, fans, players and the news media are thinking not just about a title, which seems assured even before Christmas, but about something bigger: an undefeated season.