Manchester City full of star performers as Pellegrini's men thump Chelsea

Welcome back, Manchester City. Welcome back, Vincent Kompany.

City's sublime start to the season continued at a stuffed Etihad, with the 54,331 in attendance the highest at home since 1972. They watched a thoroughly professional 3-0 dismantling of champions Chelsea.

With a defensive midfield duo full of fight, verve and tactical awareness, an attacking quartet intent on causing as much trouble as possible and a defence that is reborn, City look formidable in these early weeks of the season.

Chelsea were allowed no time to think and John Terry was substituted at half time as their bad week got even worse.

City, meanwhile, can look back on a thoroughly successful start to the 2015-16 season.

Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best. Players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)

GK Joe Hart, 7 -- Not greatly troubled until the 70th minute, when he made an important save from Eden Hazard. Displayed clean, confident handling and distributed well.

DF Bacary Sagna, 8 -- Busy and tidy as he helped stall Hazard down the right side. Sagna's start to the season has belied the sloppy, lethargic showings of 2014-15. A huge improvement in Pablo Zabaleta's absence.

DF Vincent Kompany, 9 -- A complete reversal of fortunes for the captain after his torrid season last time out. After a yellow card for tangling with the petulant Diego Costa, he remained in the thick of things throughout. With a second goal in two games and a major role in keeping Fernandinho and Costa apart at half time, the captain looks majestic once more.

DF Eliaquim Mangala, 8 -- A decent copy of his immaculate home debut against Chelsea a year ago. This was the classic, energetic and muscly Mangala that City want to see. Should have scored with a huge leap and glancing header from a corner just before half time but it would be petty to complain.

DF Aleksandar Kolarov, 8 -- Another display full of running and positive energy. Raheem Sterling's presence on the left has revitalised this part of City's side and the Serbian looks like a new man.

MF Yaya Toure, 9 -- Another player running with his batteries in the reverse position to last year. Energy aplenty, positional awareness, chasing back, harrying, tackling, creating -- it was a delight to see.

MF Fernandinho, 9 -- Subtle and powerful performance from the wiry Brazilian. Quietly competent in a busy midfield, he found time for the dark arts -- a carefully delivered cuff to Costa's ear, which wound up the Chelsea front man -- and the fine arts with a beautifully struck third goal.

MF David Silva, 9 -- Majestic as usual. Opened the game by putting Sergio Aguero through inside the first minute and continued to cause Willian and Cesc Fabregas untold trouble with his shimmying and swaying in the advanced areas of the midfield.

MF Raheem Sterling, 8 -- Slightly understated start to his City career with a missed chance at West Brom and a quietly competent display here, but do not be fooled. Sterling has brought new life to the left side, freeing Silva and bringing Kolarov to life in the spaces his speed creates.

MF Jesus Navas, 8 -- Another player who has come alive. Quick, inventive and much less wasteful than last season. His close control and tricky back heels are coming off.

FW Sergio Aguero, 8 -- Scored with his fifth chance of an opportunity-laden first half. If his first after 35 seconds came before he was match-warm, the others were well-saved by the elastic Asmir Begovic in Chelsea's goal. Opened the scoring with a fine finish which underlined just how clinical this brilliant Argentine is. An argument can be made for him being the best striker in world football.

Substitutes

MF Samir Nasri, 6 -- On for Navas after 64 minutes as the midfield began to look like a battleground. Steadied things and added menace.

MF Martin Demichelis, N/R -- Arrived after 78 minutes for the flagging Sterling and played his part in keeping the last few Chelsea attacks at bay.

FW Wilfried Bony, N/R -- Replaced Aguero on 83 minutes and played an understated part in keeping Chelsea occupied.