It may only be December but the Premier League title race looks as good as over after Manchester City claimed a record breaking 14th straight league win with a 2-1 win over fierce rivals Manchester United.

There are a number of reasons why City have been so formidable this season but the improvement of Nicolás Otamendi under the leadership of Pep Guardiola is certainly one of them. The Argentina defender pounced on a loose ball in the United penalty area to volley the winner and send City eleven-points clear at the top.

City had taken a deserved first half lead through David Silva but poor defending between Otamendi and Fabian Delph allowed Marcus Rashford to swiftly pull United level.

4 – Nicolás Otamendi has scored more Premier League goals this season than any other defender (4). Danger. pic.twitter.com/aByDBO0Jhq

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 10, 2017

However, Otamendi proved how much of an inspirational character he has become for both club and country over the past year by smashing in the winner. Romely Lukaku’s attempted clearance ricocheted back into danger and Otamendi produced an acrobatic volley from close range to give David de Gea no chance.

The goal took Otamendi’s league tally to four for the season but it is now five in fifteen games for the powerful centre back.

Otamendi, además de ser el mejor defensor argentino, ahora hace estos golazos en los clásicos de Manchester pic.twitter.com/OvCv6CTmx4

— Federico Nogueira (@fedenogueira25) December 10, 2017

Pep Guardiola has already sung the praises of Otamendi on numerous occasions but the 29-year-old’s form is also excellent news for Jorge Sampaoli and Argentina. Having once been seriously questioned over his role for La Albiceleste, Otamendi is rapidly becoming the second name on the team sheet behind Lionel Messi.