Manchester City 4 Aston Villa 0: Match report and pictures
Mario Balotelli hit the headlines for all the right reasons as the controversial Italian's first Manchester City hat-trick put the Blues top of the Barclays Premier League.
The transient nature of English football at this time of year meant the position was not secure, could have been lost before the night was out and City may end up third by tomorrow evening.
But that is a minor point and did not stop the table being flashed on big screens at the final whistle.
No matter where City end this week, or this season for that matter, it is clearly not a fleeting position for a club so used to watching the big prizes being handed out than actually competing for them.
And in Balotelli, City have a player Roberto Mancini will surely want to keep despite the repeated negativity that has surrounded the youngster for all manner of reasons.
With Carlos Tevez rested, the 20-year-old strode confidently onto centre-stage, exhibiting audacious self-belief to score two penalties, either side of a three-yard tap-in which helped take his City tally to an impressive eight goals in 11 appearances.
On a dank Manchester day, the half-time whistle brought jubilation for the home fans, who were already certain of their fate and total despair for the visiting contingent.
Three wins from 13 matches for Gerard Houllier prior to this debacle could partly be explained away by the chronic injury-list the Frenchman has had to contend with.
The excuse is wearing a bit thin though judging by the boos that greeted Michael Oliver's shrill blast, the second time Villa had reason to thank the 25-year-old rookie referee.
Had Oliver opted to dismiss Eric Lichaj for blatantly pulling down Balotelli as he charged onto David Silva's seventh-minute through-ball, a massacre might well have ensued.
As it was, the penalty proved sufficient, which Balotelli finished nervelessly, walking up to the ball before sending Brad Friedel the wrong way.
