Record signing Raheem Sterling made an instant impression on his Manchester City debut, scoring in the third minute of the Premier League club’s penalty shoot-out win over Roma in a pre-season friendly yesterday.

The 20-year-old was jeered at the Melbourne Cricket Ground when he tripped over the ball on one of his first touches in the area, but a minute later soaked up the acclaim after slotting home a through ball from Nigerian teenager Kelechi Iheanacho.

Though all eyes were on Sterling, the most expensive English player in history after joining from Liverpool for a reported £49 million, it was goalkeeper Joe Hart who secured victory with two saves in the shootout as City prevailed 5-4 on spot-kicks after the teams drew 2-2.

Aleksandar Kolarov missed City’s second spot kick but Hart parried away a weak effort from Seydou Doumbia and also denied Seydou Keita to clinch the International Champions Cup victory in front of 41,134.

Sterling’s transfer generated plenty of debate, but his man-of-the-match performance was a positive start in justifying his price-tag and was well received by manager Manuel Pellegrini.

“He worked with our team just a few days so I’m happy in the way he played,” Pellegrini said.

“He demonstrated why he is here. He demonstrated not only his value as a player, he’s also a very young player so he will improve a lot in future playing with Yaya (Toure), playing with David Silva ... so I’m very happy.”

Sterling was desperately unlucky not to create a second goal before being substituted at half-time, garnering no sympathy from Australian referee Jarred Gillett despite a forceful challenge from Alessandro Florenzi that took out the Englishman’s legs.

His threatening partnership with Silva also augured well.

“Always, good players will link immediately when they know how to play,” Pellegrini said.

“Immediately David (found) a very good striker where he’s making good movements.”