Manchester City had spent £100m on players this summer so the pressure was on Manuel Pellegrini’s side to deliver in their opening game against Newcastle.
Three of the four big money signings featured as City ran out easy 4-0 winners against the Toon, with Stevan Jovetic missing out through injury.
But how did Fernandinho, Jesus Navas and Alvaro Negredo perform on their debuts? Sportsmail looks at how the trio performed at the Etihad Stadium
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Fernandinho (Shakhtar Donetsk, £30m)
With such a big price tag there is great expectation for Fernandinho, but his debut was more solid than spectacular as he lined up alongside Yaya Toure in midfield.
The Etihad crowd saw little of his creative passing but it wasn’t a night where City needed to look towards the biggest of their summer signings for inspiration.
Time to look forward: Fernandinho produced a solid debut for Manchester City
At full stretch: Fernandinho attempts a tackle on Newcastle's Sammy Ameobi
Closing down: Hatem Ben Arfa loses out to Fernandinho who was impressive winning possession
A smart sliding tackle high up the field on Mathieu Debuchy led to a City chance which Edin Dzeko fired wide, but the 28-year-old was also booked for a mistimed tackle on Yoan Gouffran. Did little wrong but was hardly a focal point for City.
Value rating 3/5
Jesus Navas (Sevilla, £23m)
A lively showing on the right of midfield for Jesus Navas, who was unlucky not to end the match with an assist to his name.
City constantly bombarded the right flank through the Spaniard who often found space to be able to deliver crosses into the box and was unlucky to see a free-kick drift wide.
Menace: Jesus Navas produced an impressive performance on the right of City's midfield
Feeding the strikers: Navas often got into decent attacking positions to cross into the box
Celebrations: David Silva is joined by Navas after scoring the opening goal
The 27-year-old formed the roots of a right-side partnership with full-back Pablo Zabaleta, but Navas was slightly wayward with a couple of final deliveries.
It will be interesting to see how he copes against a tougher back four, but he has earned a deserved starting spot on this display and has added width to the team.
Value rating 4/5
Alvaro Negredo (Sevilla, £20.6m)
Was reduced to a 10-minute cameo from the bench as Pellegrini opted with the more trusted strike partnership of Sergio Aguero and Dzeko – a justified selection following the win.
Denied: Alvaro Negredo's goal was incorrectly ruled out for offside
In control: Negredo takes the ball into his stride after coming off the bench for the final 10 minutes
Closed down: Newcastle's Mathieu Debuchy makes a challenge on Negredo
Negredo didn’t have much time to make any impact in front of an Etihad crowd which gave him a warm welcome as an 80th minute substitute, but he was unlucky not to mark his debut with a goal.
Pouncing on to a rebound from a Tim Krul save, the Spaniard struck what looked like would be City’s fifth goal before an incorrect offside flag cut short his celebrations.
Value rating 3/5
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