Just 18 minutes was showing on the clock and the possession statistics flashed up on the screen. For Pep Guardiola, it was mission accomplished. Manchester City were utterly dominant, with 71 per cent of the ball.
But before Guardiola even had time to relish that small victory, a long ball was played and Riyad Mahrez delivered just the most-exquisite one-touch pass into the path of Jamie Vardy, who raced forward, feinted, and eased passed Claudio Bravo. It was 3-0 and 20 minutes had gone.
Guardiola says he has to adapt to the English game but on Saturday he seemed as ill at ease as can be imagined. Dressed in his grey polo neck, with his Converse pumps and skinny jeans, he looked a man completely out of step with the culture, as though he has never even considered the sartorial elegance of an Umbro anorak emblazoned with the letters PG. And four wins in 15 games suggests more assimilation is required.
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