The scoreline is flattering. This was a QPR side that made its ambition clear enough with its number of signings. It was Man City doing all the early pressing forcing corners and set pieces, one of which Yaya Toure scored from after Carlos Tevez's shot caromed off Bobby Zamora and fell to the big man.
Speaking of Tevez, the man has practically re-invented himself and is now City's main attacking threat in the absence of Sergio Aguero. The best thing City did was to keep his transfer fee so high, no one could afford him. The little Argentinian seems to be enjoying himself and there appears to be no sign of that sulking wreck who made Roberto Mancini's life miserable with his rebellion.
After Zamora equalized for QPR in the second half, City broke through immediately as Tevez's perfecty weighted cross found Edin Dzeko to give them the lead. Not a moment too soon because QPR looked quite dangerous with Esteban Granero and Zamora testing Vincent Kompany and company on the breakaway. But it was Ryan Nelsen coming close with a couple of chances to restore parity. City were able to close out the match in extra time as Dzeko's mishit was deflected serendipitously into goal by Tevez.
The next match against Stoke will probably see Javi Garcia, the £16m acquisition from Benfica start the match to take over Nigel De Jong's role. After that the attention turns to Real Madrid as City's Champions League encounter begins for which Mancini should get back Mario Balotelli who is undergoing minor eye surgery. Apparently he doesn't quite see eye to eye with the gaffer.
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