Liverpool's Champions League heroics against Juventus were forgotten at Eastlands as Man City's Kiki Musampa struck late on to secure a 1-0 win for his side.
Despite being outplayed for much of the contest, and surviving a superb Musampa second-half volley which crashed back off a post, Rafael Benitez's men looked like hanging on for the point that would temporarily have taken them above Merseyside rivals Everton.
But, after seeing his side concede late goals in his first two games in charge, it was Stuart Pearce's turn to celebrate today as Lee Croft, thrown on for Paul Bosvelt 20 minutes from time, found space inside the visitors box and picked out Musampa with a superb cross.
There was still plenty of work to do for the on-loan Dutchman but he proved equal to the task, drilling a first-time effort past Scott Carson to give City the win they deserved.
In the opening stages, Liverpool looked a lacklustre outfit. Given their draining midweek exertions it was perhaps not surprising, but slowly it seemed to dawn on them that offering Everton the initiative in the battle for fourth place should not have been part of their script.
Largely though, Distin and central defensive partner Richard Dunne stayed strong, repelling the threat of Fernando Morientes and Anthony Le Tallec with something to spare.
One superb clearance by Dunne from John Arne Riise's low cross caught the eye, although it was David James Liverpool were really cursing for costing them an interval lead.
Despite the wet conditions, it could be argued the England keeper was slightly sloppy in letting Igor Biscan's 25-yard shot slip from his grasp. But just as Le Tallec looked set to smash home the rebound, James redeemed himself, stretching a foot out to prod the ball away from the Frenchman.
After a largely anonymous first half, Steven Gerrard was quick to make an impact in the second, drilling Riise's far-post cross just over.
Unfortunately for the visitors, Gerrard could not sustain his superiority as his old schoolmate Barton slowly took command again.
The Huyton-born player may still have some recklessness in his game but he is also becoming more effective and had it not been for Steve Finnan's last-ditch clearance, his third pinpoint cross of the contest would have provided Antoine Sibierski with a tap-in 20 minutes from time.
Before that, Musampa had smashed his volley against the post, probably meeting Nedum Onouha's cross too well after the young full-back had galloped down the wing at Reyna's invitation.
But just as it looked like City were going to be forced to settle for a draw, up popped Musampa to deliver the killer blow.
