Two second-half goals from Aleksandar Kolarov and Samir Nasri sealed all three points in a hard-fought battle for Manchester City, as they travelled to Merseyside against an Everton side with nothing to lose.
The visitors started proceedings rather brightly, and could have easily found themselves three goals ahead before the half-hour mark. Sergio Agüero was denied twice in quick succession early on by goalkeeper Tim Howard - who had to be alert on a number of occasions to keep the City attackers at bay for the majority of the game.
Silva's magic touch awe-inspiring once again
Then, David Silva weaved his magic touch having combined well with his compatriot Jesús Navas on the flank. He danced past two Everton defenders within an instant, before delaying his pass marginally and slotting the ball towards the far post with Raheem Sterling lurking to tap home. It capped off a beautiful counter-attacking move from the sky Blues, and unfortunately for the former Liverpool forward, he watched on in agony as the ball fizzed inches away from his feet.
The defensive partnership of Phil Jagielka and John Stones had to constantly be aware of the impending danger with Manuel Pellegrini's men looking dangerous every time they galloped forward on the break. Together they dealt with the threats posed effectively, and Stones was undoubtedly one of the hosts' best players; putting his body on the line when required, making some smart interceptions and a few important clearances with City piling on the pressure at times.
Everton put up a valiant effort, but not enough
Romelu Lukaku, who proved a real handful for the City backline to deal with, had the ball in the back of the net midway through the first-half. However, the big Belgian was correctly ruled offside, as the 21-year-old forward was fractionally beyond the last defender. Ross Barkley and Jagielka both came close with respective efforts of their own as the momentum shifted with half-time approaching, before young left-back Brendan Galloway was forced off with a knee injury after a crucial challenge to dispossess Navas of the ball inside his own box.
He was replaced by another youngster, in Tyias Browning with stoppage time approaching. For all of City's pressure in the early stages, it could have well been the hosts who took the lead, just a minute before the half-time interval. Fernandinho was booked for making a cynical, but important tackle on the advancing Tom Cleverley as the former Manchester United man accelerated forward with pace and purpose towards the box. Lukaku stepped up for the set-piece, and his curling effort swerved over the wall but clipped the top of the crossbar - with Joe Hart seemingly helpless.
A much-needed rude-awakening for sky Blues
A wake-up call for the Citizens, who going into the half-time break, had nothing to show for their dominance in the first 30 minutes. It came as no surprise then, that just two minutes into the second 45, the post came to the rescue for the Toffees. Some encouraging play on the flank between Sterling and Silva saw the latter shape to shoot from range - and his well-struck attempt goalwards span past Howard but cannoned off his near post as Everton cleared the danger.
Then, just fifteen minutes after the restart, the deadlock was broken. It was coming, and rightly so too - City grabbed it. Howard would have been no doubt frustrated with himself for being beaten at his near post, and the goal itself came from an unlikely source in Aleksandar Kolarov, as the experienced Serbian linked up perfectly alongside Sterling on the left flank.
His neat strike, from an acute angle, deceived the American goalkeeper who'd have expected the ball to be fizzed across the box as opposed to taking an audacious effort. But, it paid off for Kolarov and City found themselves in-front.
Navas improving, but still room for more
Funnily enough, Navas could have made it two shortly afterwards. But then again, his final ball; which has been heavily criticised by City supporters over the past few months, was lacking and instead of being unselfish to square the ball to a team-mate in space, he opted to strike. He didn't have the luck that Kolarov did though, as Howard made a save with his face to deny the Spaniard from close range.
The Citizens were then lucky not to have given away a penalty-kick, as Yaya Touré bundled Jagielka to ground in an aerial challenge - and the Everton captain certainly isn't one to go down easily, but the referee waved play on despite replays show there was clear contact and the powerful Ivorian got nowhere near the ball.
As time ticked by, alterations were made by both sides. City were desperate for the killer goal, with Everton still looking a threat on the overlap going forward. The hosts meanwhile, went in search of an equaliser, to no avail despite their best efforts.
Nasri gets his chance centre-stage, and takes it
With fifteen minutes left to play, Samir Nasri was introduced into the fray. Raheem Sterling - who enjoyed a solid display under his belt, despite the Merseyside crowd giving him a torrid time on his return back to Liverpool - would have been happy with his day's work as he continues to settle in seamlessly into the set-up at Eastlands.
Seamus Coleman was a livewire going forward from the right-hand side for the hosts, and having created a few opportunities, was unlucky not to get an assist or two to his name. With three minutes to go, the game was settled, in some style too. A quick give-and-go between himself and Touré, who flicked the ball up with a no-look pass into the gap between the goal and the six-yard box, Nasri met the ball and a deft chip over Howard saw it trickle over the line.
Two goals down, and Everton were out of the equation. City were left to celebrate their eighth goal of the season, despite having only played three matches this term already. Stoppage time was nothing more than a time-filler as the sky Blues held onto possession and made sure, in spite of Everton's attempts, that they got another clean sheet too.
With Watford on the horizon for Pellegrini's side, they've already now got the tag of title-challengers. Last term they were inconsistent at times and looked limp at the back. Now, they've strengthened and look sharp. Vincent Kompany is more tactically aware and has established himself as the leader they needed at the back last season. Eliaquim Mangala still makes the odd mistake at times, but he's maturing too. Nicolás Otamendi - one of the best defenders last season in La Liga, they've signed him.
The sky is the limit for City. Silva, Agüero, Sterling and if reports are true, Kevin de Bruyne to add into the mix. One of the teams to beat this season.