Manchester City came roaring from the round of 16 into life with an unlikely 3-0 victory Nottingham Forest.
Goals from Bernardo Silva, renewed Kevin De Bruyne and Jérémy Doku saw the champions finally return to winning ways after a grueling run of six defeats in seven games in all competitions.
With four of those losses in Supreme Leaguethe title of hope of the city may already be in charge but more like they looked at the old ones as they ran through the side of Nuno Espírito Santo.
De Bruyne was instrumental as he returned to the starting line-up for the first time since September and with Jack Grealish also playing in a more central role, City went straight on the front foot and almost drew Erling Haaland except for a Matz Sels de Bruyne cutback.
The opener came after only eight minutes as Ilkay Gundogan floated the ball in which De Bruyne met with a powerful header. It looked destined for the bottom corner, but Bernardo Silva got the final touch from close range. Josko Guardiol should have had a second shortly after when he headed wide from a cross from the lively Bernardo Silva.
This was the start of a few minutes of events for Gvardiol, who has committed several costly errors in his most recent starts.
He was again at fault as he was killed by Jota Silva, but goalkeeper Stefan Ortega, preferred by Ederson for the second consecutive game, beat the shot from Morgan Gibbs-White following.
Guardiol, who had been given permission to go in, then spurned another chance in the end when he pulled a shot wide after Haaland was played in.
City got another scare on the half hour when De Bruyne’s emergency pass was tackled by Chris Wood.
The in-form New Zealander looked to score when he was locked in on goal but could not hit the target. The visitors were immediately sent rushing as Doku gilded Ryan Vates to de Bruyne, who picked up the spot and smashed home.
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As Guardiola tried to rally the crowd, it was apparent that City wanted more, but it was also Foresta who finished the first half the stronger as Antonio Elanga and Nikola Milenkovic both had good chances.
However, they did not take advantage and Doku put the game beyond doubt in the 57th minute when he ran onto Haaland’s pass and cut inside to fire past Sels from just inside the area.
De Bruyne could have had another when he curled a free kick just wide. Elliot Anderson gave Ortega a shot to save late on but there was to be no repeat of Feyenoord’s capitulation last week when City saw the game just a little earlier for granted.