Twitter Reacts as Manchester City Dominate West Brom

Manchester City went into their opening bout of the Premier League season with an impressive record against West Brom: The title contenders had scored three goals in each of their last four meetings with the Baggies and hadn't suffered a league defeat at their hands since December 2008. There was also an encouraging statistic on the Citizens' side:

Of course, before a ball was kicked, that could have been a good omen for West Brom:

Despite the odds falling heavily in City's favour, plenty of fans before the game fancied West Brom to get a result:

"

6-0 west brom.. Iescott & lambert hatrick

— RebekahRhodes (@rebekah_rhodes) August 10, 2015"

"

West brom 5 city 0 Rickie Lambert 5 goals https://t.co/kYfcJmD6R4

— Saif (@Robertomessinho) August 10, 2015"

"

I'll take a Raheem goal and a West Brom win tonight

— Tobe (@tobywotx) August 10, 2015"

Oh, how wrong they were. Meanwhile, many players were making their competitive debuts, including lovable journeyman Rickie Lambert, who was apparently destined to find the net: 

"

Rickie Lambert to score the winner and punch Sterling.

— - (@AnfieldRd96) August 10, 2015"

City were also debuting their £49 million investment Raheem Sterling:

"

Raheem Sterling warming up... pic.twitter.com/Xpw5beDmDn

— Footy Memes (@FootyMemes) August 10, 2015"

Aside from reptile comparisons, Sterling was also the subject of pre-match goalscoring predictions:

"

Sterling will score at least 5, anything less will be a bang average performance

— MF (@Madvillainy_) August 10, 2015"

"

Sterling will definitely score tonight

— Adam Lallana (@AdamLovlallana) August 10, 2015"

When the whistle blew, Sterling was greeted by a noise that he may be hearing plenty of this season:

"

Sterling getting booed by West Brom fans, nice to see the media did their job of turning him into a villain.

— Tom (@TomHammond6) August 10, 2015"

"

Sterling being booed, nice

— sin (@MeshugaM2) August 10, 2015"

The opening goal came in the ninth minute, but it was neither Sterling nor Lambert who made the difference. After plenty of one-way traffic in the opening movements, a Yaya Toure shot was cruelly deflected into the net. It wasn't quite one of the Ivorian's trademark long-range thronkers:

"

It's over already for WBA! #WBAMCI #mnf

— Jamie Kendrick (@kendrick_jamie) August 10, 2015"

Boaz Myhill was criticised for failing to do anything about the ball moving incredibly slowly over his line:

As the first half progressed, those pre-match Tweets predicting a West Brom win were made to seem more and more regrettable. David Silva, who appeared to get a touch on the opening goal, was in resplendent form:

"

David Silva is a joy to watch.

— SKA. (@SKA1620) August 10, 2015"

"

Love watching Silva. Supreme talent

— Paul O Keefe (@pokeefe1) August 10, 2015"

"

Silva is so much better than Ozil it hurts

— Shanta Rooney (@JakePlant9) August 10, 2015"

Robbie Savage agreed:

If City's first goal was incorrectly assigned to Toure, then there could be no mistake about his fantastic second, which came after a lovely one-two move with Wilfried Bony. Yaya rightfully gained plenty of praise: 

"

Man City does a 35 pass combo and Yaya Toure smacks it in the top corner with insulting ease.

— Nando Vila (@nandorvila) August 10, 2015"

"

Yaya Toure is on fire.. pic.twitter.com/Fiyf8Blz8S

— Football Funnys (@FootballFunnys) August 10, 2015"

"

Too many times last year he looked lazy and disinterested. When he's on it the guy is incredible #MCFC #yaya_yaya_yaya_yaya_yaya_toure

— Silva's Magic Wand (@mcfc_0904) August 10, 2015"

For some, this dominating performance was a sign of things to come:

"

This is where dreams begin. Championship winners 2016/17, I can feel it #WBAMCI

— Bryn Wilkes (@BrynWilkes) August 10, 2015"

Sterling had a chance to put City 3-0 up, but his finishing let him down, much to the delight of his detractors:

"

Brendan Rodgers after that Sterling miss: pic.twitter.com/JTR0CGq9BU

— Mitch (@MitchFY6) August 10, 2015"

A few minutes later, Saido Berahino had the ball in the back of the net, but it was pulled back for offside. As the opening period concluded, West Brom's efforts were not winning any plaudits:

"

West Brom have been awful. Dropping off and letting City play with no pressure on the ball.

— Jamess (@Hahames1) August 10, 2015"

West Brom's new signing Salomon Rondon was at the Hawthorns to see the team he will be eligible to represent at the weekend. Banter ensued:

"

Rondon be on the plane like... https://t.co/9WdxOX3EQ9

— Football Jokes (@LaughingFooty) August 10, 2015"

As the second half commenced, the hosts showed a few glimpses of appetite, but the game was put out of reach shortly before the hour mark by Vincent Kompany. No West Brom player made the choice to track the big Belgian's run when a Silva corner came in, and he flicked the ball into the net:

"

Near-post headers from a corner don't get much better than that. Brilliant from Vincent Kompany for #mcfc.

— Jonny Gould (@jonnygould) August 10, 2015"

Upon closer inspection, however, it was clear that the goal was actually scored from Kompany's shoulder:

"

Kompany has a head like a cinema screen but scores with his shoulder.

— Brenzie (@Brenzie) August 10, 2015"

Shortly after the goal, Fantasy Football managers across the globe were delighted to see Sergio Aguero come off the bench. West Brom fans? Not so much:

"

3-0 down and you see Sergio Aguero come on... pic.twitter.com/8LZi1O6246

— SPORT Humour (@SportHumour) August 10, 2015"

The Argentinean spared the Baggies any further heartache, but it was a truly dominant display from the Manchester side. The Eastlands faithful were pleased: