2003/04 Nicolas Anelka v Charlton
In City’s first season at Eastlands, it took Nicolas Anelka just 13 minutes to get off the mark courtesy of a spot kick – although the Blues were away at Charlton. The visitors went on to record a comfortable 3-0 victory, and the French striker would finish as City’s top goalscorer in all competitions that season.
2004/05 Robbie Fowler v Fulham
Robbie Fowler’s 28th minute strike in City’s first game was the first of 10 league goals for the former Liverpool striker in 2004/05. Unfortunately, Fulham managed to find an equaliser courtesy of Collins John and the Blues had to settle for a point to kick off their Premier League season.
2005/06 Joey Barton v Birmingham
An opening day stalemate against West Bromwich Albion left the Blues still seeking the first goal when they travelled to Birmingham in the 2005/06 season. The away support had to wait another 20 minutes for Joey Barton to tap the ball into an empty net and set City on their way to a 2-1 victory and a welcome three points.
2006/07 Joey Barton v Arsenal
It was third time lucky for City in the 2006/07 campaign, and it was the season’s top scorer Joey Barton who finally found the back of the net against Arsenal, after the Blues had fired blanks against Chelsea and Portsmouth. Barton’s 41st minute penalty was to prove the only goal of the game, and City were off and running.
2007/08 Rolando Bianchi v West Ham
On his first City start, Rolando Bianchi had his first goal within 18 minutes of kick off, sliding the ball past Robert Green after a delicious pass from fellow new recruit, Elano. The 2-0 win over the Hammers would help City to finish ninth in the league that season.
2008/09 Elano v Aston Villa
It was another penalty that gave Elano the opportunity to record City’s first goal of the season, and the Brazilian made no mistake to level the scores against Aston Villa. The Birmingham side rallied, and Mark Hughes’ men fell victim to a seven minute hat trick from Gabriel Agbonlahor for a 4-2 opening game defeat.
2009/10 Emmanuel Adebayor v Blackburn
A magnificent debut from Emmanuel Adebayor saw the striker notch the Blues’ first goal of the 2009/10 campaign after just three minutes in a City shirt. The striker fired into the Blackburn Rovers net from 18 yards, for the first of 14 league goals in his debut season with the club.
2010/11 Gareth Barry v Liverpool
After recording a respectable goalless draw at White Hart Lane in the Premier League opener, City continued a tough start by hosting Liverpool. It took Gareth Barry just 13 minutes to calm any jangling nerves by stroking the ball home, after some stylish build up from Adam Johnson and James Milner.
2011/12 Edin Dzeko v Swansea
City kicked off the title-winning campaign with a stylish 4-0 victory over Premier League newcomers, Swansea. It was Edin Dzeko who grabbed the first of three City goals in 14 minutes, tapping the ball gratefully into the net after Michel Vorm had blocked Adam Johnson’s initial effort. A delicious second half performance set the tone for the season ahead!
2012/13 Carlos Tevez v Southampton
David Silva missed a penalty in the opening stages of last term’s Premier League opener, but Carlos Tevez opened City’s account after 39 minutes against the newly-promoted Saints at the Etihad Stadium. It proved an exciting debut, as the visitors took a 2-1 lead before City fought back to scoop all three points.
If you’d like to see the Blues take on Newcastle in their first competitive fixture of the new season, book now for what promises to be an exciting night under the lights of the Etihad Stadium.
