Those who questioned Raheem Sterling’s £49m Manchester City transfer were silenced after the player opened his goalscoring account for the Citizens in the English Premier League.
The chant “Raheem Sterling…he’s top of the league” rang across the Etihad, as the Englishman’s 47th minute goal guided Manuel Pellegrini’s crew to a 2-0 win over Watford, on Saturday.
Heading into the break goalless, Sterling broke the deadlock two minutes into the second half, before Fernandinho doubled their lead 9 minutes later to maintain the club’s perfect start to the league.
Furthermore, the weekend victory saw the Manchester side set a new club record of most number of consecutive league wins, which now stands at 10.
Record breakers! #mcfc pic.twitter.com/LYIAoQzff7
— Manchester City FC (@MCFC) August 29, 2015
While Sterling was busy preserving City’s league lead, his former side Liverpool fell to an embarrassing 3-0 loss to West Ham at Anfield, the Reds’ first home loss to The Hammers in 52 years.
Many on Twitter were eager to point out that the club Sterling left is already showing early signs of faltering in the race for the title, whilst the Three Lions ace’s current side are already strengthening their grip on the league crown.
Below are some of the best tweets after Sterling’s first Manchester City goal in the English Premier League.
Raheem Sterling, he's top of the league
— JackGriffiths (@jack_ctidG) August 29, 2015
I Wonder if Raheem Sterling regrets his move to City yet?
— Fraser Wright (@fraserwright94) August 29, 2015
Raheem sterling. Thanks for shutting the haters up today
— jeevesbreezy (@JEEVES_omot) August 29, 2015
One would forgive Raheem Sterling a wry smile after looking at today's results after scoring his first Manchester City goal.
— Daniel Storey (@danielstorey85) August 29, 2015
"oh Raheem Sterling, he’s top of the league!" #mcfc pic.twitter.com/Z9BjuBCaD6
— ㅤ (@DareToRoss) August 29, 2015
Big up Raheem Sterling with his first PL goal for City
— Asensio (@Rashaun_OG) August 29, 2015
Raheem Sterling is loving life right now. Shows he made the right choice, narrow-minded Liverpool fans couldn't see that.
— IG: kosination (@Kosi_441) August 29, 2015
Sterling has just scored his first goal for Man City, Liverpool fans about now... pic.twitter.com/Bx99ckZPYM
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) August 29, 2015
Every Liverpool fan watching Sterling score for City: pic.twitter.com/PoDY1pWRHl
— BlueMoonRisingTV (@BMRisingTV) August 29, 2015
Sterling scoring when your team is losing 2-0 must be really hurting Liverpool fans.
— Football Funnys (@FootballFunnys) August 29, 2015
After the final whistle, Chilean manager Manuel Pellegrini hailed the influence brought to the squad by Sterling, and tipped the 20-year-old for a wonderful campaign.
PELLEGRINI: (on Sterling) I think he will score a lot of goals. He brings something we did not have last season #mcfc
— Manchester City FC (@MCFC) August 29, 2015