Off the naughty step and back into the light. Phil Foden might have tested Pep Guardiola’s patience with his little night out, but goals at tricky moments have a habit of soothing those friction burns.
It wasn’t a classic of a strike, nor much of a memory maker. No. But it was nice, one of those controlled volleys from short range that looks easier than it is. And important, too. Important for him, important for Manchester City.
They had just started to feel a bit of a pinch, believe it or not. Brentford were pushing, forcing Ederson into one good save and Joao Cancelo into another off his own line in successive minutes, so there was pressure in this least expected of places.