Three first-half goals helped Manchester City see off Aston Villa in their first game since being accused of more than 100 rule breaches by the Premier League.
Those allegations have made it a testing week off the pitch for the defending champions but they responded in impressive style with some vibrant early attacking play, and were able to survive a slightly nervy finish.
It was not quite a vintage display by Pep Guardiola’s side, who will go top of the table if they beat leaders Arsenal at Emirates Stadium on Wednesday, but they were much more like their old selves.
The noisy atmosphere certainly helped. Guardiola had issued a defiant response to the charges before the game, and City’s fans reacted in similar fashion at a vibrant Etihad Stadium, singing songs about their situation and in support of their manager, and also the club’s owner Sheikh Mansour.
City’s players appeared galvanised too, and made the perfect start when Rodri headed home Riyad Mahrez’s corner, but they had to wait until just before the break to add to their lead.
Calum Chambers’ attempt to cut out a Kevin de Bruyne through-ball saw him head the ball beyond his on-rushing keeper Emi Martinez and, although Erling Haaland could not convert from a tight angle, he had the composure to look up and find Ilkay Gundogan for a tap-in.
Mahrez made it 3-0 from the penalty spot soon afterwards, after Jacob Ramsey had clipped Jack Grealish inside the box.
That should have been the end of Villa’s hopes, but they were gifted a way back into the game just after the hour mark.
Bernardo Silva’s error allowed Ollie Watkins space to run through and he beat Ederson with a cool finish.
City still had the cushion of a two-goal lead but continued to be sloppy when they played out from the back and were grateful to see a long-range effort from Philippe Coutinho deflected just over, while Jhon Duran hit the bar with a fierce volley in the dying seconds.
City fans turn up the volume.
Guardiola had already promised that his team would ignore any off-field noise about the club’s situation, but City fans made plenty of it themselves.
He showed that he was able to smile at some of the possible punishments if found guilty, singing “The City’s Going Down the Bank in Blaine” as the team bus arrived, and about his situation after the game started. I continued chanting.
There were also banners, including a rude gesture at the Premier League, with the message “investigate him”.
But the turmoil certainly didn’t distract City’s players – if they looked more fired up than in recent weeks, their quick start proved enough to earn them the points.
Villa started badly but ended well.
On paper a second successive defeat could mark a step backwards for Villa after a good start to the year, but Unai Emery’s well-organised side finally showed why their results have improved so much in 2023.
Villa sat back for long periods before the break and looked to target the home side on the break, but were let down by unforced defensive errors – most of which cost them a second goal.
They were rewarded more when they pressed higher up the pitch in the second half, drawing loud cheers from the home fans every time they won the ball back.
Watkins’ pace was a constant threat, but substitute Duran’s non-stop runs set the tone for Villa’s efforts in the closing minutes, and he was unlucky not to pull a second goal back before the end.
