The visitors were dealt a blow shortly before kickoff when first-choice keeper Artur Boruc pulled up, resulting in summer signing Adam Federici coming in for his first league appearance.

It did not take City long to capitalise on this late alteration, as Sterling pounced on Pablo Zabaleta's cut-back to fire the Citizens into an early lead.

Raheem Sterling of Manchester City celebrates scoring his team's first goal with his team mates during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester City and A.F.C. Bournemouth at Etihad Stadium on October 17, 2015 © Getty Images

Things got even worse for stand-in stopper Federici moments later when his howler at the end of Yaya Toure's cross gifted Wilfried Bony a chance to show his worth in Sky Blue colours, with the Ivorian tapping home from close range.

Kevin De Bruyne came close to making it three to the home side with less than a quarter of the match played, but Bournemouth dug deep and were rewarded soon after thanks to Glenn Murray's strike into the bottom corner of the net.

Raheem Sterling of Manchester City scores his team's first goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester City and A.F.C. Bournemouth at Etihad Stadium on October 17, 2015 © Getty Images

The Cherries rallied after that goal, looking to capitalise on City's lacklustre spell in the game, yet it was the Citizens who found the fourth goal of the half after De Bruyne and Sterling linked up, allowing the latter to weave his way through on goal and wrong-foot Federici to put his side back in control.

There was still time at the end of the first half for Sterling to claim a first hat-trick for his new club, as he was left with the simple task of slotting home following some sloppy Bournemouth defending.