But Manchester City silenced their critics in a comprehensive 5-0 win over Newcastle United. It is the first time the Blues have scored over four goals in a league fixture since March 2014 and perhaps the first time since a 4-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur in October that City have truly commanded an entire 90 minutes of football.
The display was tinted with a remorselessness Manuel Pellegrini's men have too often failed to show this season. The return of African Cup of Nations champion Yaya Touré certainly helped to infuse the side with venom - the Ivorian's muscle and composure in possession supplying the side with a platform they have craved in the last month - but it was the sorcery of Samir Nasri and David Silva that punished John Carver's hapless Magpies.
On top form, Nasri is an indispensable member of City's starting eleven. The Frenchman holds membership in a crucial trio, along with Silva and Touré, that is instrumental in the majority of the team's attacking play. His intelligence on the ball and eagerness to find and drive into space is often persuasive in unlocking defences and his eye for goal has indubitably improved in a sky blue shirt in the last year. The 27-year-old's second goal in two games put the Blues 2-0 in front and his return from injury has supplied City with impetus heading into the latter stages of the season.
(Samir Nasri, who has created 50 chances in the league this season, nets City's second - image via Getty Images)
Perhaps even more impressive was Edin Džeko's purposeful showing. The Bosnian, who has scored only three league goals this term, has failed to assist City's title bid in any significant way thus far - his poor form and miserable experience with injury forcing his manager into the £28m capture of Wilfried Bony in the January transfer window.
But Džeko, who has been linked with both Wolfsburg and Juventus in recent weeks, gave his Ivorian teammate no reason to believe he would be walking straight into the team. After winning his side a penalty in the opening minute and assisting Samir Nasri for City's second, the 28-year-old oiled off his rustiness to control an exquisite through ball from David Silva with his chest and guide a precise left-footed volley past Tim Krul to all but clinch the three points for his side within the first 45 minutes. The finish was exceptional, but his fighting performance was of greater importance.
(Edin Džeko is congratulated by his teammates after expertly finishing past Tim Krul - image via Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
It was a pleasant day for the club. Chelsea dropped points against Burnley, third placed Manchester United fell to defeat at the Liberty Stadium, and Champions League last 16 opponents Barcelona suffered their second home defeat of the season against 7th placed Malaga.
City are showing form at exactly the right time. Confidence has returned to the veins of the players and Manuel Pellegrini will finally have the luxury of a full squad to choose from against FC Barcelona if James Milner is passed fit to play. Although the same was said last term, the Blues are in a terrific position to shock Luis Enrique's men on Tuesday night.
Player Ratings
Hart 7, Zabaleta 7, Kompany 7, Mangala 7, Kolarov 6, Fernandinho 7, Touré 8, Nasri 8.5, Silva 8, Džeko 8, Agüero 7.5
