Manchester City completed a league double against Alan Curbishley's Charlton Athletic at Eastlands as Pearce scored over one of his rivals.
A rare goal from Richard Dunne, only his fourth in 203 appearances for City, gave Pearce's side a dream start.
And though Darren Bent equalised for Charlton and Marcus Bent also found the net, City sealed victory with further strikes from new boy Georgios Samaras and Joey Barton to move back into the top half of the Premiership.
City, who had beaten Charlton 5-2 at The Valley in December and also 4-0 on there last visit to Eastlands, extended their unbeaten run against the Addicks to seven games.
With all their regular right and left-backs unavailable Pearce was forced to give teenage midfielder Micah Richards his full debut at right-back and play French central defender David Someil at left-back.
After a lukewarm opening City went ahead midway through the first half through an unlikely source, defender Dunne.
The Irishman found the net with a fiercely struck volley from the edge of the penalty area after Barton's cross was headed out by Jonathon Spector straight to the City defender.
And City might have doubled their lead when Charlton keeper Thomas Myhre did well to keep out a free-kick from Kiki Musampa.
Charlton rarely threatened in the opening period, with their best chance falling to Marcus Bent, who shot narrowly wide with a well-struck drive.
The Addicks drew level in the 51st minute when defender Talal El Karkouri, replacing the unwell Chris Perry, sliced open the City defence with a raking crossfield pass and Darren Bent darted between two defenders to rifle home his 16th goal of the season.
But the visitors' joy was short-lived as City regained the lead within three minutes with a first goal from Samaras, their new £6million signing.
The Greek striker, who replaced the injured Trevor Sinclair at half-time, found the net with a powerful header from ten yards following Barton's cross and City might have had a third goal not long after when Myhre did well to keep out another free- kick from Musampa.
It was only a matter of time before City scored their third and Barton found the net with a terrific 30-yard drive which flew in of the upright.
Charlton, who had beaten Liverpool in midweek, refused to concede defeat and reduce the deficit to 3-2 midway through the second half.
Marcus Bent rose above Richards to head home Radostin Kishishev's right-wing cross from six yards.
City had chances late in the game to have won more decisively as Samaras wasted a great opportunity and substitute Antoine Siberski was denied by a superb save from Myhre.
And then right at the death City were indebted to goalkeeper David James, who made a great save low down at his near post to keep out El Karkouri's drive as Charlton came agonisingly close to snatching a point.