It's all change at Manchester City these days as the club work towards Pep Guardiola's footballing ideals, but Sergio Aguero's goals remain their most valuable commodity.
Just over half an hour into the Blues' bruising clash at Stoke City, it looked as though Aguero would add to the two efforts he had sent past Shay Given.
City were stroking the ball around confidently and patiently looking for openings in the home defence for much of the first half. It took a penalty to give them their breakthrough but it was a deserved lead for a side that looked to combat the blustery conditions by keeping the ball on the floor.
Aguero glanced in a Kevin De Bruyne free kick for 2-0 and it looked as though the Guardiola revolution would pass its first - and very serious - away test with flying colours.
There was optimism aplenty at the break as City seemed well set to add to their lead - and look ahead to the rest of their fixtures with particular relish.
Buoyed by a penalty of their own early in the second half, the Potters looked a far more dangerous prospect and City's passing lost its cutting edge.
Willy Caballero, again chosen in goal ahead of Joe Hart, made a hash of a series of kicks as the home side looked to pile on the pressure.
With the goalkeeping situation still far from a satisfactory resolution, a new partnership at the back, the full-backs getting used to their central midfield duties and the forwards looking to exploit spaces that rarely opened up last season, City started to look more and more like a team in transition.
Guardiola has changed the diet, the meal times and the players' lounge in his first weeks in charge, not to mention the full-backs' roles and De Bruyne's 'free 8' position (as well as ousting Joe Hart).
In the end, the 4-1 scoreline made this look a rout. For long periods of the second half, however, the game was in the balance.
Nolito was in the right place at the right time - and it should not be overlooked that many of his team-mates were not before the Spaniard entered the fray - to add a double of his own and put the result beyond any doubt.
These are exciting times for City as Guardiola gets to grips with his squad, but while there are teething problems for some, Aguero has hit the ground running.
He already has six goals in three games in all competitions so far and, if City can click and reach the heights of Guardiola's former clubs, perhaps he will get the wider recognition that many in Manchester believe he deserves.
Injuries have always held him back but with Guardiola promising to rotate him with Iheanacho, there is every chance Aguero could last the course and surpass the record Premier League tally of 31 goals set by Alan Shearer and Cristiano Ronaldo.
His highest tally is 26 but he has started the season in deadly form, putting the anguish of Argentina's latest international disappointment behind him.
As City continue their often unpredictably journey under Guardiola, Aguero's presence up front is a god send.
> ..... - Goal