Ake and Walker collide
If Manchester City's intentions for the game weren't clear from the stonkingly strong starting XI, the opening moments of the match showed it.
Kyle Walker had carelessly given the ball away on his first start since the red card at RB Leipzig in December and subsequently picking up Covid-19, but knew what he had to do.
The only man who showed as much intensity to get the ball back as the England right-back was his teammate Nathan Ake, who charged right from his centre-back spot to dispossess Swindon striker Tyreece Simpson as Walker hurtled backwards. Ake got there first but only marginally, sending Walker sprawling over him as he put the ball out of play and out of danger.
Even when City weren't sharp, they were committed and that attitude gave them the platform to comfortably see off a shock.
Palmer shows his maturity
Young players are almost always compared to established stars in a bid to describe their ability or playing style, but Cole Palmer is another who refuses to be pigeon-holed.
The young forward, playing on his favoured right side, showed his class from the start as he worked space in the box in the first minute and bent a shot towards the far corner that was headed behind for a corner. It was his skill that brought a tap-in for Bernardo Silva for the opening goal and soon after he demonstrated the razor-sharp mind that belies his languid running style as he nutmegged Swindon's left-back to open up another opportunity for himself.
A goal was the crown on the performance, but it is the sign of a real prospect that Palmer is already so confident with his style and his place within the team.
Squad depth underlined by bench
John Stones, Jack Grealish, Phil Foden, Ederson, Fernandinho, Raheem Sterling and Aleks Zinchenko were all absent from the matchday squad and yet City were still able to name a seriously strong team.
That will open the Blues up to more incorrect moans about the relative size of their squad, but a look at the bench showed that Aymeric Laporte was the only senior player who was available that wasn't used.
City would have to use four teenagers from the academy in order to have two players for every position, but they do have an immensely talented and expensive group of versatile players that can perform multiple roles in the team to cover absences.
Borrell calm on the touchline
Rodolfo Borrell watched most of this match from the edge of his technical area and wasn't shy in getting his orders across to the City players.
But he was also content not to mimic the wild gesticulations that Pep Guardiola is usually seen doing in the dugout or furiously summoning people over during breaks in play.
City are stronger for the fact that each of the coaches in the manager's set-up are comfortable with what they bring to the table and each has their own strengths and experience to draw on.
Guardiola will likely be back in time for the Chelsea game, but he wasn't missed here.
