Pep two steps off destiny

Geniuses are the luckiest of mortals because what they must do is the same as what they most want to do

– WH Auden PEP GUARDIOLA enjoyed – and was frustrated by – the international break.

The man, who lives by “the 32-minute rule” – attested to by his closest friends, whereby he cannot do anything unconnected with football for little over a half-hour – did not wish to see his juggernaut halted.

But questions over his team’s comparative paucity of goals in recent games will have been addressed.

And in two league games, he knows he can achieve what few, if any, envisaged at this stage of a season.

Rout Big Sam’s Maginot Line of a defence and the prize lies beyond – within sight, though not grasp.

The goal Pep most