City's stuttering season was facing another serious setback at half-time of Sunday's game at Luton, with last year's Treble winners 1-0 down and facing the prospect of a fifth straight Premier League game without a win.
Two second-half goals in the space of three minutes from Bernardo Silva and Jack Grealish rescued Pep Guardiola's side, however, and City's fightback provided the perfect response to anyone doubting their credentials for another title defence.
"The team showed their character, but that didn't surprise me at all," said former City defender Micah Richards, who watched their 2-1 win at Kenilworth Road for MOTD2.