Sergio Aguero and Nolito both scored twice as Manchester City continued their perfect start to the 2016-17 campaign with a 4-1 victory over Stoke City in Saturday's early kickoff in the Premier League.
Aguero's first-half double secured a two-goal lead for the visitors and despite Bojan Krkic hitting back from the penalty spot early in the second period, Pep Guardiola's side ran out comfortable winners courtesy of a late brace from Nolito.
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There was a full Stoke debut for Joe Allen as Mark Hughes made one change from the team that drew 1-1 with Middlesbrough last weekend, while Man City Guardiola handed starts to Jesus Navas, Pablo Zabaleta and Nicolas Otamendi as he shuffled his pack at the Britannia.
The game's first half-chance arrived in the seventh minute when Aguero drove into the Potters' box before attempting to pick out a cross into Raheem Sterling, but the weight of the pass was too strong for the Englishman, who then fired over the crossbar with a powerful strike three minutes later.
Stoke were a threat in a wide position through Marko Arnautovic and a cross from the Austrian set up Giannelli Imbula in the 17th minute, but the 23-year-old decided to pass instead of shoot as a decent opportunity was wasted, before Allen had a low effort blocked behind for a corner moments later.
Man City were handed a penalty in the 27th minute of action when Stoke skipper Ryan Shawcross pulled Otamendi's shirt inside the box during a corner and Aguero stepped forward to send his spot kick past Shay Given for the game's first goal.
Mike Dean's decision to award the penalty, which was controversial, angered the home supporters and that frustration continued in the latter stages of the first period as the visitors received a number of free kicks and one of those led to Man City's second as Aguero headed a Kevin De Bruyne delivery past Given for 2-0 in the 36th minute.
Stoke had two opportunities to hit back late in the first period, but Wilfredo Caballero kept out Phil Bardsley's close-range volley, before Mame Biram Diouf headed wide from close range, moments after Allen had been bundled over inside the box as the Potters had a strong penalty shout of their own.
Stoke were awarded a penalty early in the second period, however, when Sterling was adjudged to have held Shawcross inside the box as referee Dean showed that he would not be accepting any altercation inside the box.
It was Bojan that stepped forward for the Potters and the former Barcelona youngster found the far corner from the spot to make it a 2-1 game with still more than 40 minutes to play at the newly-named Bet365 Stadium.
Indeed, the goal boosted Stoke as they continued to commit players in the final third, but Man City remained a threat on the counter-attack due to the pace of Sterling and Navas in wide positions.
Kelechi Iheanacho was introduced for Man City in the 83rd minute as Guardiola looked to take advantage of the end-to-end nature of the contest, while Jonathan Walters was introduced for a Stoke team that struggled to create opportunities from open play after halving the deficit early in the second period.
The visitors made sure of the points in the 86th minute when Iheanacho, having passed up the chance to score himself after taking the ball too wide of Given, delivered a low cross in to Nolito and the Spanish international fired home for his first Premier League goal since arriving from Celta Vigo.
Guardiola's side were not finished, however, and made it four in the fifth minute of stoppage time when Sterling raced through into a one-on-one with Given before setting up Nolito, who tapped home for his second after coming off the bench.
Next up for Stoke is a trip to Stevenage in the League Cup on Tuesday, before visiting Everton in the Premier League next weekend. Man City, meanwhile, will host Steaua Bucuresti in the second leg of their Champions League playoff on Wednesday ahead of a home game against West Ham United in the league next Sunday afternoon.
Man City have now joined rivals Manchester United on six points in the Premier League table, while Stoke remain in 12th position on one point ahead of the 3pm kickoffs in England's top flight.
Matt Law
