Kompany expects City to click soon

It is a sign that Manchester City have arrived among the true elite of the European game that not only was the Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho sat in the directors’ box for the latest Etihad outing but also that merely winning is no longer sufficient for the Premier League champions.

A return of seven points from the opening three games — including a trip to Liverpool — suggests a solid, if not spectacular, start to their title defence but then this is the new world of Premier League hysteria which City now inhabit and “solid” is no longer good enough.

This time last year, City were sweeping all before them, winning their opening four games at a canter while scoring 15 goals.