Manuel Pellegrini got his career in the English Premier League to a resounding start as Manchester City cruised to a 4-0 win over 10-man Newcastle United.
The game at the Etihad was largely one-sided with City taking a 2-0 lead within the first 22 minutes. David Silva opened the scoring with a header before Sergio Aguero's neat finish doubled the lead.
Newcastle's evening got worse when Steven Taylor was sent off in first half stoppage time for an aerial clash with Aguero.
City took full advantage of the extra man, smashing home a couple more goals in the second half, courtesy Yaya Toure and Samir Nasri.
While the old boys might have been the ones to get all the goals, a couple of the new boys did get starts for City with Fernandinho and Jesus Navas making their Premier League debuts.
Alvaro Negredo was left on the bench for City, but would come on in the second half and even find the back of the net only for the goal to be ruled out for offside.
City looked like a team in vogue right from the off, and had it not been for a string of saves made by Newcastle goalkeeper Tim Krul, the margin of victory would have been much larger.
Even if he might not have gotten his name on the scoresheet, it was Edin Dzeko who was the outstanding player for City, with the Bosnian international picking up two assists while posing a constant threat to the Newcastle goal.
Alan Pardew will be left with plenty to ponder, having seen his side outclassed by City while also being forced to leave Yohan Cabaye out of the squad after a bid from Arsenal.
Aguero and Dzeko could have opened the scoring, but were denied by fine saves from Krul before the sixth minute brought along the opener. Dzeko took a through ball from Silva before giving the ball back for the Spaniard to head home.
The 22nd minute saw City extend their lead. Skipper Vincent Kompany dispossessed Yoan Gouffran before making a run all the way to Newcastle's half. The center-back then passed to Dzeko who cleverly flicked the ball to Aguero to slot in wonderfully into the back of the net.
Jonas Gutierrez was taken off injured towards the end of the first half before Taylor got his marching orders.
Toure made it 3-0 five minutes into the second half with a splendid curling freekick, before Nasri added the icing 15 minutes from time.
