Manchester City ran out 3-0 winners against Fulham in the Premier League

David Silva has plenty of reasons to celebrate when he notched their second

Silva has a strong case for going down as City's finest ever player

A day for the numbers where David Silva was concerned. A 350th appearance and 50th Premier League goal. There is a convincing argument for him being named the club’s finest ever.

This was not his finest day in a Manchester City shirt by any stretch. A few misplaced passes here, even the odd stray first touch too. At one point Pep Guardiola threw his arms out in frustration: a scene not often witnessed.

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But then Silva did not have to be at his best on Saturday and still had a meaningful impact on this routine win. The crucial second goal – his 21st since Guardiola took charge – set City on their way after a superb team move.

David Silva got his 50th Premier League goal for Manchester City in his 350th game

Silva was not at his absolute best for City against Fulham but it was still a day to celebrate

That tally is down to the manager, who has improved every single player in this squad - even the undroppable and midfield magician. Silva had 42 in the six years before Guardiola turned up.

He is scoring three-a-season more now and is often the furthest forward when bursting beyond Sergio Aguero.

Guardiola has added a new dimension and that Silva became only the fifth City man score 50 league goals in the Premier League era – after Aguero, Yaya Toure, Carlos Tevez and Edin Dzeko – is testament to that as well as his longevity.

If this is to be Silva’s penultimate campaign at the Etihad – his contract runs out in 2020, a testimonial year – then City fans ought to enjoy while it lasts.

He’ll be 34 by the time his deal expires and whether Silva has the appetite to continue further will be down to his family situation. The Spaniard has always said he wants his son, Mateo, to grow up in Gran Canaria.

Silva is only the fifth City man to score 50 league goals in the Premier League era

The plan is for a move to Las Palmas, his boyhood club, to see out his playing days. Family, and sentiment, should come first.

‘Back then I was living with my parents and they were getting divorced and it was the right time to get away from there, from Spain, and live a new experience,’ Silva said of his switch from Valencia in 2010. ‘It turns out I made the right move.’

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Nobody at the Etihad would disagree with that.

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