City hitting their stride as Haaland once again sets pace

CITY answered one question and raised another with a convincing Champions League win in Villarreal.

- By SIMON BAJKOWSKI

Bernardo Silva, right, celebrates with Savinho after putting City 2-0 up

A night on the carousel for their opponents, with Pep Guardiola's side completing 200 passes inside the opening 25 minutes, confirmed that rumours of the demise of their playing style have been greatly exaggerated.

What happened at Arsenal cannot be changed, but it did not in fact signal the monumental change to the manager's philosophy that had begun to be suggested.

Guardiola may have been impressed with the gritty side they showed at the Emirates last month but that will pale in comparison to the joy to be found in Erling Haaland's opening goal.

It wasn't just about the slick play from Savinho and Rico Lewis to find a perfect run from the Norwegian goal machine, but the patience that brought it.