Erling Haaland left the pitch beaming and fist bumping. His Manchester City teammates were buoyant after a late winner against Wolves from John Stones rescued three points that for much of the afternoon looked beyond the Blues.
They got there in the end, but once again took the long way round. After Wolves struck the City players looked dejected, Haaland had the ball in his hands and trudged back to the centre circle for the restart. It’s becoming a worrying familiar theme.
Jorgen Strand Larsen’s early finish saw City concede first for the fourth time in eight Premier League games. Wolves joined Ipswich, Brentford and Fulham in striking first. The Blues have kept just one clean sheet in the top flight so far this term. The defensive frailties, sometimes exposed by an open shape, are surely a concern.
Pep Guardiola spoke of how pleased he was with his side’s performance at Molineux against a side sitting deep. And City certainly stayed calm and their patience and perseverance ultimately yielded a late winner.
It’s now a club record 31 Premier League games unbeaten and the comeback success in the West Midlands ensured City are unbeaten in their last 12 games when falling behind, winning 10. That’s another Premier League record and those numbers mean finding fault is tough.
But it’s nit-picking that will win titles. City know they are likely to be pushed hard this term with Liverpool the early leaders and Arsenal having run the Blues close the last two years.
It feels only a matter of time before a game becomes a bridge too far for a Houdini rescue act. City have plenty of magic but eventually they won’t be able to cast a spell so late in the day.
Whether it’s mental fragility, a tactical weakness or simply credible opposition, someone will soon take advantage of the head starts offered. City will hope they won’t need to be the comeback kids for much longer.