Watching: Pablo Zabaleta speaks with City Square's Natalie Pike after City's 3-0 win at The Etihad Stadium against Stoke City. MATCH REPORT from mcfc.co.uk Fancy dress, fancy football, fancy that! 2013 kicked off in Champagne style at the Etihad Stadium. A full house for the first home game of the New Year was treated to flashes of the vibrant and brilliant Manchester City that enjoyed such a stellar 2012. This was a Blues side with purpose in its stride and intent in its attacks as they pounded the Potters goal from first to last. Stoke didn't manage an attempt on goal in the opening half though their stubborn resistance did last until the 42nd minute before Pablo Zabaleta eased home the opener after Asmir Begovic parried James Milner's low shot. Thereafter it was as stroll as Edin Dzeko and Sergio Aguero added second half lustre to the scoreboard. To be fair to the aforementioned Begovic he had been the main man before the opening goal; three times he denied Aguero, the best save of the lot coming high to his right. Aguero also narrowly shot over the bar after a sumptuous Gareth Barry pass as the classy midfielder continued where he left off against Norwich. Although clearly second best here, Stoke can be awkward opponents, more so on their own ground, but they are not over-generous on their travels having kept three clean sheets in a row and held in-form Tottenham scoreless on their last trip away from the Britannia Stadium. Robust and resourceful, Stoke are a side that had ...