Just when the rest of the Premier League thought they glimpsed a bit of hope, just when Arsenal were dreaming of opening up a four point lead at the top of the table, just when the champions seemed to be having a bad day, the second half approached its midway point and Manchester City brought on Erling Haaland.
Pep Guardiola’s side had been down to ten men for some time by then, depleted by the first half sending off of Joao Cancelo, and they were playing on adrenaline and the aggrieved fury of men who have persuaded themselves they have been wronged, when they turned to Superman.