Anelka is simply the best, says Keegan

Charlton 0 Manchester City 3

Anelka was at the hub of City's triumph over Charlton, using his lightning pace to cause endless problems to the home defence. He rifled home his side's first goal from the spot, set up the second for countryman Antoine Sibierski and played a part in Sun Jihai's third which sealed City's first Premiership victory over the Addicks.

Keegan was delighted with his efforts and believes that with a slight improvement the former Arsenal marksman could go on to become the Premiership's top scorer this season.

"When he plays like that Nicolas is as good as any striker in the Premiership - there is no doubt about it."

Sibierski's display also caught the eye with the midfielder showing some neat touches around the penalty area on his debut and probing away at Charlton's defence with his pinpoint passing.

"Antoine is a wonderful signing for us. He's not only a playmaker but also a goalscorer. If you look at his record in Nantes and Lens he's a nine, 10, sometimes 12 goals-a-season man," said Keegan.

"He can also score goals with his head. When you put all the things together you need to find a way to play to his strengths. If we manage that then the team will do very, very well."

City's opener came from the penalty spot after Shaun Wright-Phillips was felled by South African defender Mark Fish who also received his marching orders after 69 minutes and Kevin Keegan could see little problem with the decision.

"People will say maybe we were fortunate to get the penalty but I've got to say we weren't up shouting for a penalty we were watching the ball. We've had better chances turned down but technically he got it right," he said

Charlton boss Alan Curbishley felt the penalty was extremely harsh, slating the all-round performance of referee Mike Dean and describing his side's opening encounter of the new season as "disastrous".

"The penalty was an absolute disgrace. I can't see in a million years how that is a penalty. We've had him before and not been very happy with him. He missed a couple of penalty shouts for us definite handballs in the box," he said.

"There was the sending off as well if Mark Fish hadn't pulled back Robbie Fowler then Simon Royce would probably have done the same thing and got sent off. That was the way the match was going.

"The referee had a very poor game. I'm going to have a good look at the tape before I think about saying anymore. But it looked like Wright-Phillips fell over not one of the Man City fans appealed. I'm amazed at the decision.

"It was a disastrous first day of the season for us," added Curbishley, who said new signing Paolo di Canio was not fit enough to make the squad yesterday.

CHARLTON: Royce, Kishishev (Jensen 46), Fish, Rowett, Hreidarsson, Konchesky, Euell, Holland, Parker, Lisbie (Johansson 78), Bartlett (Young 46).

MAN CITY: Seaman, Jihai, Sommeil, Distin, Tarnat, Wright-Phillips, Barton, Sibierski, Sinclair (Tiatto 90), Anelka, Fowler (Wanchope 77).

Referee: M Dean (Wirral).