This was undeniably better for Manchester City. Indeed, at times, they even looked like Manchester City. And it was three points collected against one of the better Premier League sides. It’s been a while since they could claim that. So, all in all, Pep Guardiola will not doubt feel satisfied this evening.
And yet, this remains a team so far from its peak that it’s hard not to lament their decline whenever you watch them, however good they are. There were flashes at St Mary’s of the old Raheem Sterling, Bernardo Silva and Kevin De Bruyne combinations that made you think of better days, when they were cutting a swathe through teams.