It was a powerhouse performance from back to front from Manuel Pellegrini’s men, who took an unshakeable grip on the game from the first whistle, and puts them top of the embryonic Premier League table.
On an opening weekend where the dangers lurking throughout the leage to so-called title favourites were amply demonstrated, City negotiated Tony Pulis’ well drilled Baggies with consummate skill.
All the talk pre-game might have been concentrated on new-signing Raheem Sterling, but it was a trio of City long-servers who did the damage at the Hawthorns.
The Blues were ahead after just nine minutes, when Silva’s flick deflected in to make it three consecutive seasons the Spanish magician has opened City’s Premier League account for the campaign.
If that goal was scruffy, Toure’s follow up was simply sublime; an emphatic finish after West Brom were ruthlessly cut apart in the build up.
second-half header, which the skipper celebrated on top of the advertising hoardings screaming at the travelling faithful, spoke of a player and team with a major point to prove this season.
With City’s new number 10 Sergio Aguero being eased back into action following his Copa America exertions, boss Manuel Pellegrini played Wilfried Bony as the lone man up front with new signing Sterling and Jesus Navas offering express pace down the wings.
That arrowhead was driven by a midfield three of Silva, Toure and Fernandinho, the Brazilian the only Copa America player to make the starting XI.
In defence, central pair Kompany and Eliaquim Mangala were flanked by experienced duo Aleks Kolarov and Bacary Sagna, while a powerful looking Blues bench looked on.
Martin Demichelis, Pablo Zabaleta, young Jason Denayer and goalkeeper Willy Caballero provided the defensive cover, with Samir Nasri, Kelechi Iheanacho and Aguero offering options going forward.
Silva has earned a reputation as a fast starter over the past two seasons and he didn’t disappoint here.
The diminutive 29-year-old was conducting the City orchestra from the off and although Pulis’ men tried to keep their shape early on, they simply could not resist the relentless Blue tide.
Silva unwittingly had a hand in the build up to the first goal, his dragged shot finding its way to Navas on the right. He pulled the ball back for Toure to shoot, and Silva was perfectly placed to deflect the effort in via another slight touch from Craig Dawson.
At this point, City had 80 per cent possession, with Wilfried Bony proving a strong focal point for the attack.
He had two efforts blocked, while new boy Sterling just failed to wriggle free in the box as City turned the screw.
The second duly arrived, and in spell binding fashion.
Fernandinho prodded the ball forward to Toure and he exchanged passes with Bony before curling the ball high into the net past Boaz Myhill. It was trademark Toure: effortless power and precision.
It could have been three but for Dawson’s well timed block to deny Bony’s snapshot and as the half wore on City’s main danger, as it was at times last season, appeared to be complacency.
Just before half time Sterling had a golden chance to add to his three pre-season goals, but he placed his shot too close to Myhill when through on goal.
The Baggies, as you would expect of a Pulis team, showed their fight after the break, with new signing Rickie Lambert’s fizzing free-kick requiring Hart to scramble across his goal.
Any hint of an unlikely comeback was crushed just before the hour mark.
Silva’s touch and technique won a corner, and when the Spaniard swung it in Kompany darted to the near post to head in on the angle.
The goal was the perfect response to the skipper’s critics and his celebrations showed just what it meant to him.
With Pellegrini’s game plan firmly on track, he took the opportunity to introduce Aguero to the action, the Argentinian looking lively after coming on.
By that time, though, the game was won, and thoughts were already wandering towards Sunday’s blockbuster clash with Chelsea at the newly extended Etihad Stadium.
For the last five seasons, the Premier League champions have started with a Monday game. Let’s hope that sequence continues!
