(Raheem Sterling celebrates his first goal of the season - image via Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
After obliterating their first three opponents, swiping the hat off of Tony Pulis' head, forcing José Mourinho into a panic purchase and gently lowering that airborne right arm of Roberto Martinez in the process, a stinker against newly promoted Watford wouldn't have been so startling.
But Manchester City have changed.
Our attacking football has been superb for many years now, particularly under the stewardship of Manuel Pellegrini. The arrival of Raheem Sterling has fortified that attack with even more pace and our better players have been allowed to operate in their favourite positions. The £49m man finally appeased the skeptics this weekend (the ones who look no deeper than goals and assists) by netting City's first in the 2-0 win, but the more tactically aware of football supporters have been impressed by his influence on the shape and structure of the team.
What's more satisfying, however, is how well the team has been defending as a unit. Eliaquim Mangala and Vincent Kompany have earned praise for their solidity at the back, but the likes of David Silva and Sergio Agüero must also be lauded for their defensive contributions at the other end of the pitch. There has been a noticeable difference in how quickly the side have managed to retrieve the ball once losing it - a rather unique quality Barcelona and Bayern Munich sides of the last few years have had - and if they're anything to go by, City should enjoy the Champions League a little more this season.
(Sergio Agüero's defensive contributions have been excellent - image via Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
The Blues claimed their fourth consecutive victory of the new campaign on Saturday afternoon with Raheem Sterling and Fernandinho scoring in a 2-0 win. That's 10 goals scored and a grand total of zero conceded. Perfect.
Who needs Zabaleta?
Of course we need Zabaleta. The club wouldn't be worth supporting without him. But in all seriousness, the injured Argentine hasn't been missed on the pitch. Zabaleta has been ruled out for a month with a knee injury and will struggle to earn a place back in the team if his back-up continues to play out of his skin.
(Bacary Sagna has been solid at the back - image via Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
When Bacary Sagna signed on a free transfer last summer, most City fans gave the move a nod of approval. The Frenchman was an experienced full-back and had been a starter in a Champions League team for over five years. He'd be the most accomplished back-up full-back in the league and his European experience would be useful.
Unfortunately, Sagna's first season at the Etihad was underwhelming. He made just nine appearances and the lack of pitch time made it difficult for him to settle into some form. Sagna was often preferred over Zabaleta against tricky wingers like Eden Hazard and Raheem Sterling, though, and Pellegrini had faith in his one on one abilities.
This season, Sagna has already created 44% of the chances he created last term. He has shown an enthusiasm to burst down the flank and supplied Sterling with a delicious ball to tap in his first of the season on Saturday. Going forward in tandum with Navas he has been excellent, but at the back where his services are most valuable, he has won more tackles (5) than any other defender in the squad.
In this form, Sagna could quadruple his appearance count from last season.
A big day for Jesus
(Jesus Navas was substituted after 45 minutes on Saturday afternoon - image via Michael Steele/Getty Images)
The new South Stand has certainly added a few decibels to the roar of the Etihad Stadium, but the sound of a Belgian slamming a car door shut outside Wilmslow Private Hospital was ringing through Jesus Navas's ears prior to kick-off on Saturday.
Wolfsburg midfielder Kevin De Bruyne will be announced as Manchester City player today with Jesus Navas likely to take the fall for his place in the starting eleven. Navas supplies City with width, pace and balance, but his end product is often poor and he has to be regarded as a weak link in the side. It was a big day for Navas, an opportunity to prove to his manager that he deserved to be starting, but he collapsed under the pressure.
The Spaniard failed to find a man with six of his seven crosses, failed to complete a single take on, failed to create a single chance and ultimately failed to impress Manuel Pellegrini in a poor display. He was substituted at half time after effectively escorting Kevin De Bruyne to his place in the starting XI.
Player Ratings
Joe Hart 6
Bacary Sagna 8
Vincent Kompany 7
Eliaquim Mangala 7
Aleksandar Kolarov 7
Fernandinho 8
Yaya Touré 7
David Silva 8
Jesus Navas 5
Raheem Sterling 7.5Sergio Agüero 6
Substitutes
Samir Nasri 7
Fabian Delph 6
Kelechi Iheanacho 5
