After the 3-0 win, Rice beamed: "I think you see it in the first half, it was domination. We could have been up four or five. I knew there was an opportunity for me to score, assist and even for my goal there I sensed it. Goal, assist and three points, just what we needed.
"I do like assisting. It just feels great. It was a big result. They have been some form and are a top team and we knew today it was business and we had to handle it.
"You looked back at the Villa game the other week when we had a few in the first half. We could have done with the second half being less like a basketball match. It now leads into the game next week and we are ready for it.
"I wasn't here last year but I can sense that we are embracing it. Man City are a machine and they don't lose many. Anything can happen in football. Surprises can happen and miracles can happen and we just have to stay focused."
On Saka's penalty, he added: "Fair play to him. After the miss at the Euros he has worked at his penalties and takes them at different times for us. He is top."