Manchester City lay down a marker to their rivals for the Premiership title with a commanding 3-0 win at West Brom.
On an opening weekend which saw a couple of the would-be title challengers have less than impressive results, it was left to Manchester City to hit the ground running and show they are genuine contenders on this performance.
Yaya Toure eased the nerves for the visitors with an early goal and then doubled City's lead by the 24th minute. There was a touch of good fortune about the first strike which took a deflection of team-mate David Silva but not the second which was curled expertly into goal.
In fact City should have been three-nil at the break but expensive debutant Raheem Sterling wasted a glorious chance, although Albion will point to Saido Berahino being denied a goal to reduce the deficit for a dubious offside call.
Vincent Kompany headed in a corner via his head and shoulder in the second half as the home side struggles to impose themselves on the game.
Late on James Morrison had the chance of a consolation effort for West Brom but headed straight at keeper Joe Hart.
Tougher games clearly lie ahead for City but boss Manuel Pellegrini will be delighted at how they have started the campaign and after just one fixture are top of the pile whilst their opponents are bottom.
Manchester City: 3 Y.Toure 9, 24, Kompany 59
The Hawthorns