Manchester City 5 Luton Town 1
AN afternoon that will hardly rank among the most memorable of Pep Guardiola’s reign when he finally calls time on his Manchester City career was also one which, clearly, gave the manager intense pleasure on Saturday.
By his standards, Guardiola was practically giddy, post-match, when analysing a performance which, while far from perfect, delivered a result that definitely was.
Not only did City return to the top of the Premier League for a day, for the first time in five months, but they improved their goal difference by four and, more importantly, allowed Guardiola to rest key players.
Among them was Rodri, the midfielder who had pleaded for a break after the gruelling 3-3 midweek draw at Real Madrid, a response which his manager hardly seemed to embrace at the end of last week.
“He will rest on Wednesday as well,” joked Guardiola on Saturday evening. “Do you believe me?” It was that kind of day, and Guardiola in that kind of playful, relaxed mood. Rodri, of course, will be back for that return with Real on Wednesday and Kyle Walker, absent in Madrid, may also have a chance of being fit.
The six changes the City manager was able to make against Luton, therefore, will have been welcomed by a squad which Guardiola admitted is feeling the physical effects of a second successive treble bid.
Yet, aside from his ability to rotate his squad, Guardiola has seen other signs that City are peaking at just the right time.
Arguably, last season was the greatest by any club side in English football history and City scored four or more goals on 16 occasions. This season, to date, they have done it just eight but, importantly, three of those have come in the last four games.
Factor in the three they
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