City may have shown some of the recurring problems of their season in their first appearance back in the Premier League since winning their latest trophy.
However, a second-half fightback was enough to remind everyone that anyone who wants to finish above Pep Guardiola's side will have an almighty fight on their hands to dethrone the serial winners.
A trip to Sean Dyche's Everton felt like the sort of trip that could bring the Treble winners crashing back down to earth after their triumph in Jeddah last week, and for a time it did.
A bright start from the visitors was wiped out by yet more sloppy play that has been all too evident in a run of just one league win from their last six going into this.
After half an hour, the comparisons to previous iterations of this City side felt painfully on the nose at a ground where they have previously made it look easy.
Ilkay Gundogan spun expertly here in the box last spring to flick in the opening goal and Erling Haaland added a second moments later to put the Blues on their way to an eighth consecutive win at Goodison. Gundogan has since moved on despite City's best wishes if not their best efforts after the midfielder wasn't offered what he wanted to stay at the Etihad in good enough time.
Matheus Nunes, a £51m signing from Wolves aimed at rebuilding the midfield had the chance to open the scoring last night but saw a weak shot parried by Jordan Pickford and Julian Alvarez, deputizing for Haaland, couldn't put the rebound in.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Signing a top striker is still ultimate goal
UNITED'S strikers were signed for more than £100m and have scored 11 goals between them this season, so it doesn't take a rocket scientist to work out a new forward is required.
If it comes to the crunch...let Nacho go
WHEN United's football committee went through the squad last summer and assessed who could be sold to raise funds to reinvest, they alighted on only a handful of 'untouchables, those players who simply weren't for sale, no matter the offer.
Omar attitude will appeal to Guardiola
EXCITEMENT is building among City fans as links with prolific Eintracht Frankfurt striker Omar Marmoush continue.
Doyle can be defender City are looking for
CITY'S interest in signing a center-back has naturally captured interest.
ICC must 'deliver own rules' on England game
DOWNING Street has called on the International Cricket Council to \"deliver on their own rules\" as the England team resists pressure to boycott their forthcoming match against Afghanistan.
Triumph profits stall as result of China downturn
TRIUMPH, the iconic motorcycle brand, has seen its profits stall due to an economic downturn in China and a drop in sterling's value.
Grooming gang probe 'would be distraction'
INDEPENDENT INQUIRY HEAD SAYS 'LOCALLY, PEOPLE NEED TO STEP UP'
Pledge to move 'as fast as we can' on dentists
NHS dentistry is at \"death's door\", the Health Secretary has told MPs as he restated his commitment to rolling out an extra 700,000 urgent dental appointments.
Gaining More Pounds
MAYOR WANTS TO INCREASE POLICE PART OF COUNCIL TAX 'TO MAINTAIN FORCE IMPROVEMENT'
Hairspray attacker told to 'get his life together'
JUDGE SAYS 23-YEAR-OLD COULD HAVE BLINDED HIS EX-PARTNER WITH AEROSOL CAN DURING ROW OVER COUPLE'S PET DOGS
