City's last-gasp win reveals Guardiola's true MVP

For much of the first half of this season, it almost became a running joke about asking Pep Guardiola on the fitness of Rodri.

- By CHRIS MCKENNA AT ELLAND ROAD

The Manchester City midfielder was being nursed back from a hamstring injury between October and December after he missed most of the previous campaign due to an anterior cruciate ligament tear.

Given his importance to this City side, it was obviously a burning issue as to why one of their best players was not ready to return having initially recovered from the more serious knee problem.

Depending on his mood, Guardiola would either give a brief response of “not yet” when asked about the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner’s readiness. On occasion, he would open up on the necessity to ensure he was fully ready for the intensity of Premier League football on a weekly basis with European action in between.

There was a sense that the City manager wanted to make sure Rodri was primed for this part of the season in particular. This is the time when the title race really starts and the knockout stages of the Champions League come around.

So while there was surprise at the omission of Erling Haaland for this trip to Leeds and Elland Road, where the City striker’s father once played, it was also an evening to remind us that the Norwegian frontman is far from the only key figure in this team.

Obviously, given it was a victory by the narrowest of margins, City won't want the league top scorer's “knock in training” to be anything serious.