Something has undoubtedly changed around Manchester City in the two years since the Treble, to such a degree that players and supporters alike are begging for this season to end.
Nine games to go, to finish the misery. No Pep Guardiola team has ever conceded this number of goals in a Premier League season after in-form Brighton's two took the tally to 40. Opponents prey on vulnerabilities; the attackers can't execute final balls with enough regularity either.
But more than that is this strange inertia sweeping around the Etihad Stadium.