The Everton fans half-heartedly booing Raheem Sterling on Sunday made me chuckle. They couldn’t make their mind up whether they hated him for representing their rivals on Merseyside in the past, or loved him for angering all the Liverpool supporters by leaving.

Whatever their feelings towards Sterling, deep down they know they saw a star performer at Goodison and a young England international who has made a massive difference immediately to Manchester City.

So far, and I’m well aware we are only three games in, City’s football has been as entertaining as it has been effective. That’s a tough mix to master.

Raheem Sterling has made a huge difference at Manchester City and given his side a whole new dimension

Everton couldn't decide if they loved or hated Sterling after he left Liverpool for City this summer

Sterling celebrates with Fernandinho and Aleksandar Kolarov (right) after the left back's opener at Goodison

Last season City looked moribund, Manuel Pellegrini’s future was questioned, and some even thought Yaya Toure was past it.

The one big difference this season is Sterling. No doubt the ‘statmonsters’ will tell me he hasn’t scored, not enough assists or other such stuff which matters only in the minds of computer-game-playing geeks who rarely get to actual matches.

Set stats aside for a second and get a real feel for the game. Watch it. Last season it was pass, pass, pass at City and it all became so predictable.

Some believed Yaya Toure was past it but Sterling's arrival has given the midfielder space to express himself

Bringing in Sterling has brought a whole new dimension to City’s game and allowed his new team-mates the space to express themselves more than they could last season.

Sterling runs at opponents, and he does it with speed and passion.

He commits opponents and forces them to double up on him. If he is running at full back, an opposing centre half has to get himself set and ready to cover if Sterling beats that full back.

Sterling runs at defenders at speed and creates lots of space for David Silva to weave his magic

All of that means more time and room for David Silva to weave his magic. Even Jesus Navas has looked decent since Sterling came into the City side.

I chuckle when I think of all those who suggested Sterling wouldn’t get in the City team, using it as some sort of rationale to back up their claims he should stay at Liverpool. Sterling was signed as a starter for City and he has so far made a huge difference.