Nicolas Anelka ran riot at The Valley as Man City got off to a winning start to the new season with a 3-0 victory over Charlton, whose new striker Paolo Di Canio didn't even make the bench as he wasn't match-fit.
Such was Anelka's first-half influence that Addicks boss Alan Curbishley abandoned his three-man defence at half time and reverted to 4-4-2, bringing on two subs after the break.
It gave some added movement to Charlton who at least gave City keeper David Seaman something to do.
But all hope Charlton had of making a match of the contest disappeared when the hapless Mark Fish was sent off on 70 minutes for pulling back Robbie Fowler when he was clear on goal.
Charlton's problems started early in the game when Fish brought down Shaun Wright-Phillips and Anelka fired home the 12th minute penalty.
Then a sweeping move by City saw Nicolas cross from the right for Antoine Sibierski to fire home a debut goal for the vistiors to give them a two-goal lead.
Charlton improved in the second half and Seaman twice did well to save at point-blank range from Jason Euell and then turn away a Luke Young shot.
Reduced to ten men Charlton were lucky not to concede a third goal when Wright-Phillips hit the bar. but their fate was finally sealed near the end when Sun Jihai scored a third for the visitors after Anelka's shot had been pushed away by keeper Simon Royce.
After all the excitement and expectation from the arrival of Di Canio at The Valley there was a real sense of anti-climax when the fans found that he was not involved, but he got a warm welcome when he appeared hands aloft from the tunnel.
On the evidence of this performance his presence in the team can't come quick enough as Charlton were lacking ideas up front on a day they will want to forget very quickly.
Man City boss Kevin Keegan will be delighted with his team and some of the shrewd signings he had made suggest that his side will have a good season.