Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti congratulated Manchester City and declared them champions-elect after the runaway Premier League leaders powered to a 3-1 win at Goodison Park.

City opened up a 10-point gap over second-placed neighbours Manchester United after a commanding display against Everton on Wednesday, with goals coming from Phil Foden, Riyad Mahrez and Bernardo Silva.

Everton star Richarlison did net a first-half equaliser but it was not enough to stop the Toffees from falling to a second consecutive loss on Merseyside in four days, following the 2-0 reverse against Fulham on Sunday.

City have won their last 12 league matches, 17 in all competitions, and Ancelotti cannot see any team stopping Pep Guardiola's high-flying side from securing a fifth Premier League trophy and seventh English domestic crown.

"I think so. It's really difficult to say another name," Ancelotti said.

"Man City, in this moment, are in a good mood. They have fantastic quality, they have belief, they are strong.

"We tried to put the game on the strong side but it was difficult against Rodrigo, against [Ruben] Dias, against [Aymeric] Laporte."

The victory means City are the first team in English history to win 10 top-flight matches to start a calendar year.

City have not trailed for a single minute in their last 16 league matches, with Arsenal the only team to have bettered that streak (19 matches in 1998-99) in the Premier League era.

Closing on their fifth Premier League triumph in a decade, Ancelotti has no doubt City are the best team his Everton outfit have come up against this season.

"Absolutely, yes, congratulations to them," he added.

Following a third straight league defeat, Everton have slipped to seventh in the table ahead of Saturday's Merseyside derby against rivals Liverpool at Anfield.

Everton are three points behind the Reds with a game in hand, and Ancelotti insisted his players need to quickly put the past week behind them.

"We don't have any regrets tonight, regrets were against Fulham," he said. "It's an exciting game, we know how important it is for our supporters, this game.

"We know all we need to try and get the result on Saturday."