City 3 Stoke 0

A not entirely unexpected outcome and certainly a welcome win and three points after a recent sticky patch in the league.

Robinho of course garnered most of the headlines (and now has set himself a target of 30 goals this season), but a big winner from yesterday was surely Danny Sturridge, who profited from resh from the injury to Ched Evans to really stake a claim for a starting spot as the games come thick and fast over the coming weeks.

A positive for me also was a couple of smart saves from Joe Hart - fresh from penning a new deal, and at crucial times when the game was arguably still in the balance. A welcome return to form amidst some talk of his position.

With games coming up this week against Middlesbrough and Bolton - although both away - the win provides us with a great platform and opportunity to take a maximum return points wise which should put us right back in the mix with the top six.

Reports

At £32.5m, with a weekly salary of £160,000, Robinho might have to pull up a few more trees before anyone at Manchester City can think of him as a bargain but if these things actually matter to the club's new owners there can be no argument that their showpiece signing has thus far been value for money. >>guardian.co.uk.

On the day that the clocks went back to mark the end of British summer time, Robinho scored his first hat-trick in English football to dispel any doubts that he has the stomach to be Manchester City's man for all seasons. >>telegraph.co.uk.

Tony Pulis, the Stoke City manager, could argue that this is what £34.2 million buys you, but Manchester City’s first win in the Barclays Premier League for five weeks was down to much more than a first hat-trick in English football for Robinho. >>times online.

Stoke's fans attained official status as the Premier League's noisiest at the weekend but they were pushing their luck when, in their own choice words, they asked Robinho who he thought he was. The Brazilian's hat-trick, taking his league tally to six in eight games, answered that question. A more appropriate inquiry would have involved the whereabouts of Tony Pulis' defenders on the occasion of each goal. >>independent.co.uk,

ROBINHO produced a Brazilliant match-winning performance as City put Stoke to the sword. The £32.5m-man hit a hat-trick to send Blues fans wild at Eastlands, while Stoke were given a harsh lesson about the realities of life in the Premier League. >>MEN.

Hughes said some weeks ago that the beauty of great players is that they make the right decisions when in possession; they will happily play a short pass if it is the correct thing to do.

Robinho varied from that script at St James' Park a week ago. As his team scrapped their way to an ugly 2-2 draw, he was still trying to play the beautiful game. Yesterday, the 24-year-old was back on message at the City of Manchester Stadium. >>mail online.

Stoke were beaten by a far superior side this afternoon. For the £32.4 million they paid for Brazilian wonder Robinho, Manchester City have a player who can destroy sides. And with the former Real Madrid man on one side and Shaun Wright Phillips on the other Stoke were given a torrid time by the pace and skill of the Blues' two wide men. >>whydeliliah.co.uk.

Robinho-ed. No other word for it. Stoke City failed to build on their fine victory over Tottenham Hotspur last week and were unpicked by the British record transfer player, who was in dazzling form against the Potters. >>the oatcake.