In the first six league games at home, City have netted an incredible 26 times. Before the 6-0 thrashing of Spurs last time out we were treated to a magnificent seven against Norwich, and the Blues are on course to smash Chelsea’s record of 103 league goals in a season.
So, who has the Etihad crowd jumping to their feet?
The List examines which City players have scored the most Premier League goals at the Etihad Stadium since the big move in 2003…
Carlos Tevez 38
Riding high at the top is Carlos Tevez, who scored a magnificent 38 times at the Etihad Stadium in a City career spanning four years. Beloved by Blues fans, the Argentine struck 15 times in front of the home crowd in his debut season in a Sky Blue shirt, including hat-tricks against Blackburn and Wigan. A brace against Liverpool in the Etihad’s first league game the following campaign fired City to a famous 3-0 win, while Tevez also treated the watching fans to a hat-trick against West Brom.
Sergio Aguero 30
Aguero makes it an all-Argentinian top two, netting 30 home league goals since making the switch from Atletico Madrid in 2011. Scoring twice on his debut against Swansea, Sergio went one better on his next appearance at the Etihad, grabbing his first City hat-trick in a 3-0 victory over Wigan. Seven of his ten league goals in this campaign to date have come in Manchester, and it’s obvious the striker enjoys entertaining his home crowd.
Shaun Wright-Phillips 16
Four times winner of the club’s Young Player of the Year award, Shaun Wright-Phillips began his City career back when home was still Maine Road. He opened his account at the City of Manchester Stadium with a brace in a 6-2 defeat of Bolton Wanderers in October 2003, and scored five times at home in the league in the club’s first season in East Manchester. An impressive total for a winger, Shaun notched 16 times at the new stadium in two spells at the club.
Yaya Toure 14
Four of Yaya Toure’s 14 Etihad goals have come this season, so you wouldn’t bet against the Ivorian overtaking Wright-Phillips before the campaign reaches its conclusion. A special free-kick against Newcastle on the opening weekend gave us a preview of things to come, and Yaya was on the scoresheet in each of the first three home league fixtures, while his strike in the clash with Chelsea in February was one of the goals of last season.
Nicolas Anelka 14
Top scorer in the club’s first season at the City of Manchester Stadium, Nicolas Anelka got off the mark at City’s new home with a hat-trick in a 4-1 win over Aston Villa. A valuable servant to the Blues, the Frenchman’s most famous strike of his 14 goals in East Manchester came from the spot, after he won and scored the penalty which condemned Jose Mourinho to his first defeat as Chelsea manager.
Mario Balotelli 13
Always a fan of the big statement, Super Mario’s first league goal at the Etihad Stadium opened the scoring against Aston Villa in December 2010, and he went on to grab a hat-trick as he put the Villans to the sword in a 3-0 victory. Balotelli also netted nine of his 13 league goals during the title-winning campaign on home soil, including a sensational winning penalty against Spurs in the final minute of a five-goal thriller in January 2012.
Edin Dzeko 12
City’s Bosnian Diamond is a rare breed who has actually scored more league goals on his travels, but Edin Dzeko has still managed 12 strikes on home turf. Arriving in January 2010, Edin had to wait until the following August to be on the scoresheet at the Etihad Stadium in the league, although both away strikes the previous season proved vital in securing Champions League football.
Robinho 11
Scoring all but three of his league goals at home, Robinho treated the City crowd to 11 goals in 18 months in Manchester. Finding the net just 13 minutes into his debut, it unfortunately proved mere consolation in a 3-1 home defeat by Chelsea in September 2008. The following month he indulged Blues fans with a Brazilian masterclass when Stoke visited the City of Manchester Stadium, and he finished the day with a hat-trick.
David Silva 11
City’s Spanish wizard has netted 11 of his 17 Premier League goals at the Etihad Stadium, proving even David Silva finds it easier to hit the back of the net with the support of his home crowd! Swapping Valencia for Manchester in the summer of 2010, Merlin’s first league goal for City was actually at Bloomfield Road in a 302 win over Blackpool, but he opened his 2013-14 account at the Etihad with a rare headed goal against Newcastle.
Find out if City can further improve the league’s best goalscoring record when Swansea City visit the Etihad Stadium next Sunday 1 December at 4.10pm.
Tickets are still available and can be purchased online at mcfc.co.uk/tickets or by telephone on 0161 444 1894.
For more details, read the full ticket information for the game here.
