Kalvin Phillips' Man City goal celebration shows he knows what is coming in January

This was Kalvin Phillips' first Champions League start for City, and only his sixth in total. But like his two Premier League starts and other two cup games, they have come when little is riding on the result, or resting Rodri is more important. Last week, Guardiola apologised to Phillips for not playing him as much, saying when he looked at his team, he simply couldn't picture the England man in the midfield. It was a damning statement, but Guardiola said he was delighted to be able to give Phillips a start in Serbia.

If it was a chance for Phillips to prove his manager wrong, Guardiola will have watched on knowing his own position was strengthened rather than Phillips'. Mateo Kovacic was even asked to play deeper in a double pivot to offer Phillips more protection, but it didn't bring out a more relaxed version of a player who still doesn't know what to do when he gets the ball. Too often, Phillips lost the ball when he was too ponderous, often leading to counter-attacks, and in one case, a clumsy yellow card. He didn't even bother tracking his man late on when In-beom Hwang had freedom to pull one back for the hosts.

When Phillips stuck away his penalty for a first goal in Blue, his muted celebration seemed to reflect his position within the squad. His teammates were pleased for him, but he simply walked away and barely mustered a smile - blowing a kiss to the stands as his only recognition. Despite the goal, with Kovacic looking solid and Matheus Nunes playing well, Phillips doesn't seem to have improved his position with his rare start. On one hand, Phillips needs regular games to prove himself at City, but it does feel like that ship has sailed and it feels like January cannot come quick enough for the £42m