Jim Holden

delighted to win that way, when you realise how complicated it is.

“We spoke of that at half-time but what I said was ridiculous because the first five or 10 minutes in the second was like the first half. They didn’t listen. But then one run from Raheem Sterling changed the game.”

Sterling, previously anonymous, was suddenly a livewire presence, that mazy dribble ending with a shot deflected against a post.

Minutes later the England star scored from close range after Danilo’s shot had been punched out.

Now there was a bewitching spell of pure football from City and when Gabriel Jesus produced some trickery in the box it set up Fernandinho to shoot narrowly wide.

The result was only clinched with the introduction from the subs’ bench of David Silva, to a huge cheer from the crowd.

Within two minutes he sent a perfect weight of pass for Sane to cross low and Gundogan to tap in the final goal.

So, resting players, the type of strategic management of matches required by teams hunting multiple trophies, was a success.

Sometimes after matches Guardiola is a reluctant talker. Yesterday he could have spoken for hours about his players and the demands on a modern manager.

He was particularly delighted with the display of Sane, saying: “I don’t know what Leroy ate before this game. Maybe I will give his menu to everyone for the next match.

“If Leroy plays this way he will be in the team for every match. He was incredible, offensively and defensively. I just ask the best of all the players.

“We don’t expect every 90 minutes to have an incredible performance. Sometimes it happens. Today was a lesson we had to learn – how to win when we are tired.”