It took Owen Hargreaves just seven minutes to endear himself to the Manchester City fans at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night as the big-spending Premier League side overcame Chris Hughton's Birmingham in the Third Round of the Carling Cup.
The former Manchester United and Bayern Munich midfielder, who was been desperately unlucky with injuries, gave the hosts the perfect start when he rifled home from 25 yards much to the delight of the home crowd and the relief of City boss Roberto Mancini.
Hargreaves outdid expectations, lasting 57 minutes of this routine victory, before leaving the pitch to a standing ovation.
There was to be another first in what was a fairly low-key encounter - Mario Balotelli netted his first of the season in front of 25,070 supporters.
Seven minutes before the break the tempestuous Italian doubled his side's lead when he applied a neat, first-time finish that swept the ball across Colin Doyle's goal and into the far corner.