Earlier in the season, few people would have given Manchester City a prayer.
A shaky spell of form saw the doubters and critics come out en masse, drawing premature conclusion that Pep Guardiola's side had completed their cycle and were fresh out of ideas.
At the Etihad, however, work continued to be done.
An early home drubbing by Leicester City before draws against the likes of Leeds and West Ham were soon erased from the memory, as City regrouped and regained composure.
Now, life could not look much more rosy.