JACK GAUGHAN: Bernardo Silva earned SALVATION days after his EPL penalty woe

There have been more iconic moments in Bernardo Silva’s time at Manchester City. The open-mouthed euphoria of scoring twice against Real Madrid last year tops the lot. For City supporters, how he clung onto a polystyrene cup of coffee during a guard of honour for Liverpool in an act of disrespect comes close.

More iconic but then none more redemptive than Wembley. When he does eventually leave, those standing behind that goal will remember their beating heart thumping the badge on squeezing City through to another FA Cup final. Silva is one of those rarities: simultaneously both a sensational footballer and cult hero.

He barely slept a wink on Wednesday night, Silva. And not just because of baby Carlota.

Visions of Andriy Lunin gratefully catching his flat penalty, over and over, the defining image of City’s shootout defeat by Real almost a year on from Silva’s crowning night in blue.

‘Thursday night I slept a bit better,’ he said. The pain doesn’t subside that quickly, although Saturday undoubtedly helped.

While Silva might have needed to score the winner for himself, he certainly didn’t need to for his team mates or manager.

Everybody at City is made to know how much the Portuguese has sacrificed for a club to have enjoyed him for seven seasons – far longer than he intended or even wanted.

The problem for Silva over the years, when he has asked to leave, is that he’s made himself too valuable. Way too valuable.

The utility jobs have been performed far too well. The club who say any player is allowed to seek new pastures for the right price have bent their own rules for him. Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona have never threatened to bid anywhere near City’s lofty asking price.

A release clause in his latest contract changes