When asked if Manchester City would sign another striker, Manuel Pellegrini’s emphatic response was ‘we have Kelechi Iheneacho’.
Selling an established Edin Dzeko and the exciting prospect Jovetic proved this point and it certainly didn’t win Pellegrini many hearts among the blues.
Perhaps Wilfried Bony was brought in to calm many a heart but just midway into the season, it is the relatively unknown Iheneacho who is grabbing headlines.
In their FA cup encounter today, City rested Hart, Toure and Aguero with Kevin De Bruyne confirmed out for 10 weeks.
A resurgent Aston Villa would have fancied being the opposition to cause City recurrent away woes, but it was not to be.
Iheneacho’s early goal meant that City didn’t have to bother too much and when Bacuna upended Sterling in the box, Iheaneacho was present once again to send Brad Guzan the wrong way.
A defensive error allowed Iheanacho to complete his hattrick before Sterling completed his rout to make it 4-0.