Sven-Goran Eriksson has placed Elano alongside Italian legends Roberto Baggio and Roberto Mancini as one of the best playmakers he has ever worked with.

The Brazil international delivered a footballing masterclass at Eastlands, playing a major role in one Manchester City goal, then rocketing home another as the Blues maintained their 100% home record with a 3-1 win over Newcastle.

Eriksson plucked Elano from relative obscurity at Shakhtar Donetsk during the early weeks of his stint as City boss and already the £8m fee is looking like a major bargain.

Elano's silky skills and sumptuous passing game were too much for the Magpies and, as Eriksson observed, the 25-yard free-kick that flew into the top corner of returning keeper Shay Given's goal four minutes from time was total perfection.

"It is impossible to hit the free-kick any better than that," enthused Eriksson. "A centimetre either way and it hits the bar or the post.

"Elano is a great footballer. He can do a little bit of everything. I have worked with other top-class creative players in the past; people like Baggio and Mancini, but he is right up there with them."

Eriksson revealed he spoke to Brazil coach Dunga - who played under the Swede at Fiorentina - before making his move for the 26-year-old, who has not disappointed in City's electrifying start to the season.

"When he came here, he was not physically 100%," said Eriksson.

"He was a long way off because he hadn't done anything after the Copa America until he joined us.

"But now he is getting physically stronger and getting better and better.

"Every time he gets the ball you have the feeling something will happen."

Advantage

Elano was the inspiration behind City's first-half equaliser, chipping a sublime pass beyond Charles N'Zogbia to send Stephen Ireland tearing down the right flank.

The youngster had the presence of mind to send a low cross to the far post, where Martin Petrov belted home his third goal in two games.

Petrov's effort levelled up an inspired Obafemi Martins strike after the Nigerian had taken advantage of a rare lapse from Micah Richards to put the Magpies in front.

Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce was still reasonably happy at the break but his mood changed within 90 seconds of the restart as N'Zogbia elected to send a routine header towards the touchline rather than towards the City goal, offering Petrov the opportunity to charge into empty space.

N'Zogbia was still trying to regain his ground when Petrov sent over a cross which Emile Mpenza stopped low to head in.

"We committed defensive suicide," moaned Allardyce.

"All our defenders have to do is clear the ball back up the pitch and we just didn't.

"After that, they contained us and played on the break, which was exactly what I had asked my players to do."

Elano's brilliant late effort confirmed City's best start to a top flight campaign in 30 years, a remarkable effort for a team effectively thrown together in a six-week period after Eriksson succeeded Stuart Pearce as manager.

"If we go on playing like that, we will have an excellent season," said Eriksson.

"I was very happy with everything we did."