Tijjani Reijnders laid down a marker ahead of the Premier League's return with two goals as Manchester City beat Palermo 3-0 in Sicily.
Reijnders was a half-time substitute but scored two classy, similar goals from impressive late runs into the box to seal victory for Pep Guardiola's side in their one and only pre-season game before next weekend's top-flight kick-off.
Guardiola also named James Trafford in his starting line-up following his £27m move from Burnley - but the England goalkeeper contributed to a shaky start to the game for City.
Trafford's sloppiness in possession led to one of the big chances that Palermo spurned in the first half. After his clearance was closed down by Matteo Brunori, the resulting corner saw Pietro Ceccaroni head wide from a few yards out.
Palermo had more chances to break the deadlock, exposing an unconvincing City on the counter-attack but, eventually, Erling Haaland struck.
Erling Haaland gave Man City the lead vs Palermo
Image: Erling Haaland gave Man City the lead vs Palermo
The forward was found by the impressive Rayan Cherki just outside the area and found the bottom corner with his weaker right foot.
Palermo had a good chance to level but Trafford held Joel Pohjanpalo's header after Abdukodir Khusanov briefly switched off, but City put their foot on the pedal with Cherki running the show.
The Frenchman nearly got a deserved goal himself as he looked set to tap home Oscar Bobb's cut back after good play from Nico Gonzalez. But his effort from a few yards out was cleared off the line by Salim Diakite.
That was one of Cherki's last involvements of the game as Guardiola substituted everyone bar Haaland at half-time. But it was Cherki's direct replacement Reijinders who doubled the lead shortly after coming on.
Tijjani Reijnders celebrates scoring his second
Image: Tijjani Reijnders celebrates scoring City's second
The Dutch midfielder, who joined from AC Milan this summer, made a smart run into the area to latch onto Savinho's pass and fire into the far corner.
Reijnders nearly got a second goal from a very similar move but his effort was well-saved. Yet it would not be too long before he got on the scoresheet again as he picked up a clever flick from Divine Mukasa - with the Dutchman finishing in the same corner as his first goal.
Reijnders could have had a hat-trick in the dying moments as he won the ball high up for a one-on-one and rounded Palermo goalkeeper Alfred Gomis - but tripped over himself at the all-important moment.
But the game just confirmed that alongside Cherki, City have two gems in midfield as they prepare for their Premier League opener against Wolves next Saturday, live on Sky Sports.
More to follow.
Sky Sports to show 215 live Premier League games from next season
Sky Sports to show 215 live Premier League games this season
Image: Sky Sports to show 215 live Premier League games this season
From this season, Sky Sports' Premier League coverage will increase from 128 matches to at least 215 games exclusively live.
And 80 per cent of all televised Premier League games this season are on Sky Sports.