The putback that deflected the Sparta Prague goalkeeper and beat Peter Vindal was surely a flash in the arm during Erling Holland's remarkable Golffest career. It was Manchester City's second, in the 58th minute, and Holland's impassive smile, which said what is expected, explained exactly how absorbed he was in his own work.
After a win at Sparta that started with a stunning solo effort from Phil Foden, City have seven points (which Opta's “supercomputer” estimates they will need nine to progress to the play-off round, and 15-16) for Pep Guardiola's relentless team. The ship is under control.
Guardiola said Foden would “be back soon” on Tuesday – his best ever – and began by dribbling past three Spartans, the last of them Kan Kierinen, to score the first goal into the left corner. Winding from 18 yards or more.
John Stones and Manuel Akanji tied the game with a shot from the midfielder. They fell back when Sparta broke down the right, where Veljko Birmancevic had a shot blocked. Lars Freise's men hoped to escape, but they had to be ruthless to do so.
Holland is a master when it comes to ruthlessness and thought he had doubled the score when he jumped to meet a cross from the left and headed towards Vindel's right. The effort was breathless as goalkeeper Gordon Banks dived to his right to carry the ball to safety under the bar.
Despite a full Sparta finish and City outscoring their team with 81% possession, the group of traveling faithful almost rose to their feet when Victor Oladunji entered enemy territory. The forward sent a chip over Stefan Ortega but it went too high.
Guardiola, resplendent in a smart wool sweater, was in his usual technical position. He wanted more goals (the Catalan always does) and a second header from Holland was close in a crowded Sparta area.
He was chased away, after pinballing around City's six-yard box, and again Birmancevic was nearly awarded a chukker as he headed towards goal from his own half. When Matheus Nunes and Rico Lewis tried to catch him, he aimed at Ortega on the right, but the goalkeeper moved away.
Highlights of what remained of the first half included Foden's effort that was parried away by Windle and Savinho's spin and fall. At half-time, the Czech champions of the last two seasons had maintained the distance.
Like the Wolves on Sunday, Sparta were a low-block proposition. The city had to find a way to get comfortable again.
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The order was to go more direct: Foden took a corner from the right, Olatunji shot carelessly, Holland pushed the ball in from distance and Nathan Ake converted. Except he was guilty of handball and the finish was chalk. He looked harsh – his hand was going nowhere – and Guardiola's moan in the ear of the fourth official, Andrea Colombo, underlined the point.
Guardiola is quick to point out when defending himself against his men on a bench, and is quick to say that he does not judge them. A second corner from Foden, from the same right, again caused confusion and, knowing how intelligent Guardiola is, attacking on the flanks in the hope of breaking the opposition defense through the air seemed like a ruse.
Savinho dodged down the right and lifted the ball high, Holland jumped to save Windall again. Not so, the next act of the Norwegian phenomenon. Once again Savinho takes his rhythm, pivots and lets the ball float. What followed was sublime: Holland, back on target, unleashed a backheel volley that went off the turf and past Vindal.
Stones was the match winner against Wolves and met a brilliant ding from Nunes to head City's third. Guardiola's side, off course, won the fourth, Holland continued running, picked up Nunes' delivery and finished forcefully (and uncommonly) with his right foot. A fifth nuance was added with a late penalty. Even before the clocks turn back, the city is in pretty good shape.
