On their first outing at Croke Park since the All-Ireland final, Dublin played to a similar pattern, offering Galway some early hope before burning them off with ease in the Allianz Football League Division 1.
Jim Gavin's side didn't take the lead until the 30th minute but remained in pole position from there on, dominating the second-half to bounce back from their loss in Monaghan.
In what was a repeat of last year's league final, Dublin outscored Galway 1-09 to 0-02 in the second-half with Cormac Costello, Paul Mannion and Dean Rock all excellent in attack.
Costello scored 0-06 and was named Man of the Match though Rock top scored with 1-05 and a well taken 57th minute goal to kill off Galway.
The Dublin manager is very happy with the team atmosphere and energy and was impressed with the young players coming through and pushing for starting places. pic.twitter.com/WeMc2Cgnqf
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) February 2, 2019
Dublin hadn't previously experienced back to back defeats in the league or Championship under Gavin, a remarkable run of form that spanned 92 games since he took over for 2013.
It was a record they were keen to protect though Galway made life difficult initially and it wasn't until Rock's 30th minute free conversion that Dublin finally led.
Up to then, they'd had their work cut out to contain a Galway side impressively led by Cillian McDaid and Peter Cooke.
The duo scored two points each with McDaid, who left AFL side Carlton last autumn, particularly influential.
It took a terrific block from Jonny Cooper to deny the former Galway Under-21 star on another occasion while Brian Fenton put in a huge challenge to force Johnny Duane into a wide.
It wasn't until the 11th minute that Dublin scored their first point, a Mannion beauty from the left-wing.
It seemed to ignite the holders because Sean Bugler, a debutant in the first team alongside young Kilmacud Crokes defender Liam Flatman and Ryan Basquel, split the posts soon after followed by a point from Dean Rock.
Suddenly Dublin were up and running and they twice drew level before taking narrow 0-06 to 0-05 lead into the interval.
Costello thought he'd scored his third point just before the break but his effort was confirmed as a wide by Hawk-Eye.
The second-half was all Dublin and Galway will kick themselves for not putting up a greater fight having opened their open Division 1 account a week ago by defeating Cavan.
They were beaten all around the pitch this time as Dublin opened up with some excellent football and Costello in particular.
Rock and Mannion dovetailed well in attack too while it was the experienced Paul Flynn that played in the ball for Rock to snipe his goal.
Dublin boss Gavin took the opportunity to hand former U-21 talent Darren Gavin his debut as a second-half substitute while Conor McHugh came on late on to allow Mannion enjoy the cheers of the surprisingly small 14,502 crowd.
Dublin: Evan Comerford; Eric Lowndes, Michael Fitzsimons, Liam Flatman; Eoin Murchan, Jonny Cooper, John Small; James McCarthy, Brian Fenton; Niall Scully (0-01, 0-01m), Cormac Costello (0-06, 1m), Sean Bugler (0-01); Ryan Basquel, Paul Mannion (0-02), Dean Rock (1-05, 0-03f).
Subs: Brian Howard for Basquel (48), Paul Flynn for Bugler (55), Jack McCaffrey for Small (60), Darren Gavin for McCarthy (61), Conor McHugh for Mannion (66).
Galway: Maghnus Breathnach; Gareth Bradshaw, Sean Kelly, Eoghan Kerin; Gary O'Donnell, Sean Andy O Ceallaigh, Johnny Heaney (0-01); Kieran Duggan, Thomas Flynn; Cillian McDaid (0-02), Johnny Duane, Peter Cooke (0-02); Padraig Cunningham, Cein D'Arcy, Shane Walsh (0-01, 0-01f).
Subs: Barry McHugh (0-01, 0-01f) for McDaid (h/t), Fintan Cooney for D'Arcy (60), Danny Cummins for Cunningham (61), Gearoid Armstrong for Cooke (62), David Cunnane for O Ceallaigh (67).
Referee: Ciaran Branagan (Down).
