Roberto Mancini's men sit third in the English Premier League and their Champions League group, with Aston Villa knocking them out of the League Cup in the third round.

The 3-0 win over Sunderland – the only team to take four points off the champions last season – was their most convincing of the season, prompting Kompany's more positive outlook.

"There will be moments where we will really switch it on," Kompany told reporters.

"We are exactly where we wanted to be, second or third place and there are still a lot of games to play. We are just getting through them."

The Belgium international believes the reigning champions have not played their best football so far this season, but he puts that down to the 'ridiculously high standard' City set last term.

"It's already positive for us to pick up so many points when people say maybe we didn't play our best games, but I think we have to be happy with the results," Kompany said.

"If we can still step it up, it's going to be a great season for us again.

"I've always been good. It's just that we set such a ridiculously high standard last season that people are expecting a lot.

"That's fair enough. I've got no problem with that. I just keep working hard. I never really change my vision of the game. I always try to give my best.

"I just look at the league now and we are in a good position. We've done what we needed to do and we've managed to keep ourselves at the right place.

"Chelsea are obviously doing great at the moment. We never said it wasn't going to be a tough season."