Having often been referred to as the invisible man last season, Stevan Jovetic turned on an inventive, inspirational display to send out a warning of not only Manchester City’s intent, but his own in this new campaign.
The frontman struck twice as his side eased to a confident victory over rivals Liverpool in their first game back at the Etihad since being crowned Premier League champions in May.
Jovetic didn’t play in that final game against West Ham, watching on from the bench as injury and illness had restricted the Montenegrin to just two league starts since his move from Fiorentina.
But boss Manuel Pellegrini’s faith in his ability was justified last night with his double. As Liverpool’s left-back debutant Alberto Moreno dithered to clear a loose ball, Jovetic pounced quickly to steal it and smash past Simon Mignolet for the first goal in the 41st minute.
Then a fine interchange in the 55th minute saw his flick in the build-up release Samir Nasri and he was on hand to steer in the return for number two. Sergio Aguero then came off the bench to replace Edin Dzeko, and within 23 seconds, roared on to a fine pass from Jesus Navas and fired past Mignolet to settle the outcome.
It was another example of City’s destructive strike power, and a deadly frontline force that, when fit and in full flow, offers a potency few can match.
Liverpool were simply stunned. Until the opener, they had made the hosts struggle, their defence in good shape and new signing Mario Balotelli watching his past and present club from the stands.
With crunching challenges, there was no surrender, no quarter given from the imposing centre-back pairing of Lovren and Martin Skrtel. They would provide pretty decent security at nightclubs and seemed keen to spoil City’s party by giving few opportunities.
Edin Dzeko had the first as Gael Clichy’s low ball was dummied cleverly by Jovetic and the Bosnian sent a shot skidding wide.
Pablo Zabaleta showed match rustiness after his post-World Cup break when, unmarked, he met Clichy’s floated cross with a volley well over the bar.
Yaya Toure had a curled saved easily by Mignolet, and there was not much for Liverpool to shout about at the other end. A long ball by Steven Gerrard picked out Raheem Sterling in the box, but his weak finish did not match the way he expertly controlled the pass on his chest.
It took Daniel Sturridge 32 minutes to show Balotelli what he will have to combine, or compete, with up front.
Quick feet and a neat turn deceived Vincent Kompany, but Joe Hart was alert at his near post to block well from his former City team-mate.
Games so tight as this, though, are so often decided on mistakes or quality eventually comes through. For City, it was a case of both.
Moreno will learn from this experience, as will Liverpool as they look to life with Balotelli.
They came on strong towards the end as City stepped off the pace and Hart was alert to deny Sturridge again before the visitors did get a late consolation.
It was a touch fortunate though as Rickie Lambert’s header was saved by Hart, but rebounded in off the knee of Zabaleta.
