Sat in the breathtaking new South Stand third tier at the Etihad Stadium yesterday, with an uncharacteristic optimism about the game to come, I couldn't help but be in awe of how far the club has progressed.
My first experience of Manchester City was very different, on a grim day in North London as an eight-year-old boy. I had no idea, as I watched an exhilarating comeback against Gillingham to secure a dramatic promotion, as to the journey this club would take me on.
City's rapid progression over the years - a treasure to behold
I consider myself lucky to have witnessed three promotions and only one relegation in my life, other fans have endured far more. But it still amazes me to see where the club are today, having won all possible domestic trophies in recent years.
Despite all of this, last season was a disappointment. Not because of a lack of success, but because City were not at their brilliant best - what we've come to love and enjoy from the sky Blues. The pressure of being Champions didn't suit us. But that pressure was off on Sunday.
Chelsea were comfortably, comprehensively, taken apart
There is a hunger and determination about the players that was missing last season. Hard work in the off-season has paid off and as Vincent Kompany has said, the preparation for this game was meticulous and thorough. David Silva excels playing off the striker, which didn't happen much last season. Raheem Sterling coming in allows Silva the freedom to work his magic, and it paid off yesterday.
Everybody played their part against Chelsea, even Joe Hart who had nothing to do until the 70th minute. Bacary Sagna had one of his best games in a City shirt, Aleksandar Kolarov worked tirelessly up and down the left side, Eliaquim Mangala looks to be settling in well and Fernandinho was everywhere, breaking up play.
The front four were fluid and interchanging to devestating effect. Chelsea couldn't handle Sergio Agüero and he would have had a first-half hat-trick but for a string of brilliant saves from Asmir Begovic. Raheem Sterling and Jesús Navas worked well defensively and drew defenders away from Silva and the chances came.
It was a joy to behold, and no matter what José Mourinho thinks, the best team won on the day. Chelsea weren't at the races and City exploited that. It was ruthless, professional and classy, but with 108 points to play for, Mourinho was right in the fact that it doesn't mean much in terms of mathematics. But Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool will be sitting up and taking notice. City are the team to beat.