The game was largely an even sided affair that was perhaps a little dull before the Latics switched off and a simple long ball broke the defence to gift Manchester City the opener.
This led to a defensive City who were just happy to keep possession and make life difficult for the Latics.
It must be said that these defensive errors are the major blot on the copy book for Roberto Martinez as the overall performances are none too far away.
However as long as the Latics continue to make life difficult for themselves, the right results will always prove difficult to come by.
Here is the reaction of the two managers.
Roberto Martinez
The goal just before half-time killed us off. I thought towards the end of the first half we were starting to be ourselves and control the game.
But the goal came and it hurt us. You can say it was a freak goal, but obviously we have to do a lot better. On the whole, though, we have created Manchester City's best chances for them, and that is the real disappointment.
We have been too soft in that department and then all the good work we have done, all the fight we have shown counts for very little. It's a shame that the players will get no credit for that performance, because we have given the game to Manchester City with two soft goals.
The goal obviously had an effect on us, but it also had a massive effect on Manchester City. They have world-class players and when they are playing with a positive score-line it makes it very difficult.
They showed good composure on the ball and the goals made it even easier for them. But at the end of the day you are not going to beat any world-class side by giving them two soft goals.
That has happened to us before this season, when the score-line hasn't properly reflected the performance we have put in. We keep flattering opponents, and that is something that has been self-inflicted. It's something we need to eradicate from our game.
We restricted them to very little, and all they had to go on was our bad play. In order to fulfil our potential this is an area of our game we must improve.
Roberto Mancini
I thought about it during the summer [captaincy] and I spoke to Carlos about it. He is an important player and he can improve as captain and we can have more of him.
I'm very happy for him because at this moment he probably isn't at 100% of his form. Maybe his goal can help him and it is fantastic he got it.
Next game
Next up is the visit of Preston North End on Wednesday night as the Latics face their first test of the season in the Carling Cup. The rivalry of recent seasons is renewed as Darren Ferguson brings his side to the DW.