Manchester City started the new year in fine style as they cruised to a comfortable 3-0 win over Stoke City at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday.
Paplo Zabaleta turned the ball in for the hosts just before the half-time interval after they had thoroughly dominated proceedings.
Edin Dzeko gave the scoreline a slightly more reflective completion ten minutes after the break and Sergio Aguero got the goal that his industry deserved from the penalty spot.
After a close call last time out against Norwich City, Roberto Mancini’s men were well on top from the start.
Yaya Toure and Aguero both hit over the bar inside the first quarter of an hour as the Premier League champions searched for an opening.
Aguero was proving quite a handful up front and the Argentinian striker forced Asmir Begovic into a smart save after skipping his way past the opposition defenders.
Aguero had another chance not long afterwards as City laid siege on the Potters goal, thumping a header against the near post from Gareth Barry’s cross.
The deadlock was broken with two minutes to go before the break as James Milner’s low cross was turned away by Begovic but Zabaleta was on hand to slot home.
City put daylight between themselves and their visitors in the 56th minute as Edin Dzeko’s red-hot run of form continued.
Augero was the engineer as he forced his way into the box and fired in a low shot that the keeper pushed out to Dzeko who slammed home from a yard out.
Just after the hour mark Jon Walters poked over the top from a corner as Stoke produced a rare effort on goal.
The game was over as a contest in the 74th minute when City netted their third under slightly controversial circumstances.
Steven Nzonzi brought down David Silva and even though the incident appeared to have taken place outside the box the penalty was awarded and Aguero tucked it away.
With the game nearing an end Stoke almost grabbed a consolation through Glenn Whelan as the midfielder powered a long range effort against the bar with Joe Hart getting the slightest of touches.
