Having eliminated the distraction of cup football, Maychester were in the mood to prove that their focus is fully on a title challenge. They were surprised when Cavani merked them on the counter on 30 minutes in the Mancs’ first attack of note, but kept up their focus in a blistering attacking performance. Their total dominance was rewarded when, twice, Ronaldo rose to meet Lazzari’s delivery and it could easily have been much more than that. The MiBs can talk all they want about their capacity to guard against extraterrestrial violence but a little more guarding closer to home would not have gone amiss here.

By Vicky Püntneuler