If ever a single game illustrated the difference between last season and this season for Manchester City, then this was probably it.
It was not as though Manchester City did anything wrong but last season when facing lower league teams we obliterated them , sweeping them aside in a fit of power and intent. Yesterday, we huffed and puffed a lot before we blew their house down.
If any key ingredient is missing, it is that swagger which comes from belief.
Still, even if City are not hitting the dizzying heights of the recent past, there was still much to celebrate. Performances from some of the youngsters who looked comfortable in our side, being the pick of the bunch.
The absence of leadership on the pitch, the failure to dominate midfield and the uncanny abilify to concede the same goals despite changes in personnel, are all concerns for a different article.
As a match going fan the debacle of VAR continued to ruin the experience, its like someone has sucked all the best parts of watching the game and left an empty husk.
Man City Square looks at the player performances and tries to select a Man of the Match, a feat more difficult because there was no single outstanding player.
We start by looking at the defensive unit.