Džeko 14', Navas 33', Yaya Touré 76', Noone 29', Campbell 90'
Agüero 79'
City centurions savage Solskjær's stalwarts
Edin Džeko netted Manchester City's 100th goal of the season to send his side on their way to a flavoursome 4-2 victory over Cardiff City on Saturday afternoon. It was a customary home win for blues who have now won all 11 of their home fixtures at the Etihad Stadium this season, but the famous goal trickled past David Marshall in true 'Typical City' style.
Courage characterised the ex-Manchester United striker's side throughout the affair which saw City struggle to emerge out of first gear, but the attacking venom that has simmered in the gluttonous glands of Pellegrini's men this season was quickly injected into their relegation battling visitors. A sublime swivel from David Silva on the byline found Edin Džeko who rolled in his 16th and Manchester City's 100th goal of the season. The blues are now the fastest Premier League side to have reached 100 goals in a season, surpassing Chelsea's record of 42 in 2012-2013 by eight games.
(Centurion: Džeko claims the famous goal)
A hawk-eye replay may have been required to confirm the unconventional finish from the Bosnian, but a famous Manchester City milestone was never going to follow a customary course - and neither did the game. The Bluebirds first soar into City's half saw tricky winger Craig Noone leave Vincent Kompany for dead and smash brilliantly into the bottom corner of Joe Hart's net. A rare silence descended over an expectant Etihad crowd, but City's Spanish saviour would come speeding in to save the day.
Just four minutes after watching Cardiff level the tie, Jesús Navas smashed City back in front. A mazy run from Džeko allowed a loose ball to bobble into the path of the winger who made easy work of racing his opponent to the ball and slotting in past Marshall. With fears allayed and a corner flag jumped, the Etihad were treated to yet another goalscoring glut.
(City saviour: Navas puts the blues back ahead)
The visitors attacked the second half with all the determination of a Solskjær inspired 1999 Champions League win against Bayern Munich, but with just 15 Premier League goals before the tie, Cardiff struggled to get themselves back in the game. A fierce strike from Jordon Mutch had Hart's hands hurting, but the Welsh dragons were always the second most likely team on the field to set the half alight.
And it took the blues a laborious thirty minutes to score arguably their best goal of the afternoon. A trademark gladiatoral run from Yaya Touré forced the Bluebirds back into their own half and the Ivorian buried home a left footed drive from an Agüero lay off.
(Juggernaut: Yaya Touré bulldozes his way through Cardiff's midfield and puts the tie to bed)
Unwilling to just play the assister, Agüero took his turn to tease and tantalise Cardiff's Steven Caulker and wallop in City's fourth. The Argentine's 14th league goal of the season has given Manuel Pellegrini a welcome conundrum when it comes to his next team selection as City's sizzling strikers continue to assault their opponents.
(Don't stop me now: Agüero smashes in his 14th league goal of the season)
A late Fraizer Campbell consolation goal deservedly narrowed the tie somewhat, but the Welshmen became the eleventh victim of an evil Etihad engine.
Player Ratings
Joe Hart 6 - Made a few solid saves to keep out the visitors but was left flapping for both of Cardiff's goals.
Pablo Zabaleta 7 - Blocks, headers, interceptions and plenty of attacking threat. This guy has to be the best right back in Europe at the moment.
Vincent Kompany 6.5 - A rigid display from the Belgian whose only slip up of the game saw him get turned inside out by Craig Noone.
Martin Demichelis 5 - A poor display from the veteran who made a habit of sliding invisible men throughout. Positioning for Campbell's late consolation summarised his game.
Aleksandar Kolarov 6 - Struggled with the trickery and pace of Noone and his defensive fragilities really showed. A different entity going forward, however.
David Silva 7.5 - Involved in the majority of City's attacking play, meandering in and out of Cardiff's defence. Excellent work for City's first, even if it could have been hand ball.
Javi García 7 - Improving with every game. Allowed Yaya and Silva to work their magic in attacking positions as he crunched and swept up just behind. 
Yaya Touré 8 - A juggernaut-like display from the Ivorian who just oozes class. He possesses an arsenal of passing variety and he can also score goals. Brilliant.
Jesús Navas 7 - Menacing performance from the speedy Spaniard and his goal was vital in City's eventual win.
Edin Džeko 7.5 - Becoming harder and harder to drop as he continues to score and hold up the ball like he should. Holds the proud title of City's centurion.
Álvaro Negredo 7 - Disappointed not to score, but the striker was a constant pain to Cardiff's defence. Anger was evident when he was substituted.
Substitutes
Sergio Agüero 7 - City haven't exactly struggled for goals in his absence, but they definitely won't now he's back. Another breathtaking cameo with a goal and an assist.
James Milner 6 - Nullified Cardiff's threat
Gaël Clichy 6 - Another who struggled with Noone
Match Stats
Shots on target: Manchester City 9 - 6 Cardiff City
Shots off target: Manchester City 11 - 0 Cardiff City
Blocked shots: Manchester City 4 - 1 Cardiff City
Corners: Manchester City 10 - 7 Cardiff City
Fouls: Manchester City 6 - 5 Cardiff City
Pass Completion: Manchester City 87% - 81% Cardiff City
Tackle Success: Manchester City 40% - 39% Cardiff City
Possession: Manchester City 58% - 42% Cardiff City
