But it was a less than encouraging way to start 2015. The Premier League champions came dangerously close to surrendering a 2-0 lead for the second time in four days when former Blue duo Jack Rodwell and Adam Johnson cancelled out excellent strikes from Yaya Touré and Stevan Jovetić mid-way through the second half.
City had collapsed from the same position against Burnley in their final fixture of 2014, but Frank Lampard was on hand to rescue Manuel Pellegrini from embarrassment with an excellent header 17 minutes from time. The legendary midfielder, whose goal took his Premier League tally to 176, outraged fans of New York City FC by extending his loan spell with City to the end of the season; but his performance on Thursday illustrated just how important that decision was.
The Blues now sit level with Chelsea at the top of the Premier League table after José Mourinho's men fell to an extraordinary 5-3 defeat against Tottenham Hotspur on Thursday night.
Extending Lampard's stay was a necessity.
Fans of New York City may be outraged, but why should Manchester City care?
Frank Lampard's summer decision to join Manchester City on loan surprised many. After all, the 36-year-old is an acclaimed figure at a club that are tussling with City for major honours and the midfielder once claimed that he would never play against his former suitors.
But his winning mentality and hunger for achievement has prevented him from keeping that promise. Lampard has now scored 5 important goals in 15 appearances for his new club and his influence from the bench has been crucial thus far this season.
Lampard offers experience, professionalism and above all, a potent goal threat. When City are in need of goals, the Englishman answers, and the club cannot feel guilty about extending his stay in such an unforgiving industry.
Gaël Clichy's form must be commended.
In November, I was calling for the Frenchman's head - and I don't think I was alone.
The once reliable full-back was submerged in a woeful run of form that began to compromise the solidity of Pellegrini's back four. He was probably the weakest member of the team at the time and it became clear that City needed to invest in a new left-back.
A man-of-the-match performance against Manchester United offered encouragement to City chiefs and the 29-year-old began to showcase the qualities that had helped him become one of the league's most reliable defenders in the last five years.
Clichy has been able to maintain that impressive form and has improved significantly in an attacking sense this season. Aleksandar Kolarov has often been praised for his abilities going forward, but cannot offer the same value in a defensive sense and has fallen behind his French teammate in the pecking order at the club despite establishing himself under Pellegrini last term.
Clichy has created 14 chances this season, only Pablo Zabaleta (15) has created more from defence, and his two assists on Thursday conveyed his importance in the final third once again.
The return of attack.
Yaya Touré and Stevan Jovetić returned to the side on Thursday and the team looked better for it.
Against Burnley, City lacked penetration and could only manage 17 shots with James Milner struggling up top. With two of their major attacking threats back in the side, Pellegrini's men managed nearly double that tally (32) and only had former teammate Costel Pantillimon to blame for the poor success rate.
Touré is a master from the edge of the box and possesses a fearsome strike that often makes the breakthrough for the side, and Jovetić's movement is often a nightmare for defenders.
City have proven they can cope without strikers, but it shouldn't be in our plans to continue with that system in the near future.
