Manchester City extended their ominous winning run to 12 matches without their best player, the club’s greatest ever striker, most potent winger, first-choice holding midfielder and the division’s in-form full back. Plus John Stones.
Another afternoon spent in second gear, a gritty victory but victory nonetheless. Pep Guardiola told Chris Wilder afterwards that he cannot fathom how Sheffield United are in their perilous state and, on the evidence of the past week, the Blades do not look a side propping up the Premier League table with a meagre eight points.
Yet for all their endeavour, they left the Etihad Stadium having registered only one shot on target.