IT'S been a long time coming, but in the 85th minute of City's 36th game of the season, Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland finally combined for the first time in 2023/24.
A through-ball played with precision and a finish that required strength and then poise, it was a classic combo from the Etihad's star turns.
It was Haaland's second goal of the 2-0 win against Everton and his November 28. But also his 20th and 21st of the season in all competitions and he remains the Premier League's top goalscorer. De Bruyne was providing his fourth assist in as many league games since returning from hamstring surgery.
But the fact it has taken until the 10th day of February for the Belgian to create a goal for the Norwegian points to City's biggest issue this season. De Bruyne has missed 27 of those 36 games and Haaland has missed 10 of them. Losing your two best players for that length of time in a campaign is usually fatal to your ambitions.
Not so for City, however. After Pep Guardiola watched his star duo start together at the Etihad for the first time since beating Real Madrid 4-0 in May, he toasted those members of his squad who had kept the show on the road in the meantime.
Denne historien er fra February 12, 2024-utgaven av Manchester Evening News.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra February 12, 2024-utgaven av Manchester Evening News.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
DON'T PANIC
KOVACIC CONFIDENT BLUES CAN OVERCOME SLUMP
Zlatan not ruling out Vic switch
AC MILAN advisor Zlatan Ibrahimovic has refused to rule out the possibility of United centre-back Victor Lindelof joining the Italian club next summer.
Carsley gives respect to Ireland after Greece win
INTERIM boss Lee Carsley says celebrations are on ice as England look to follow up their impressive win in Greece by sealing promotion back to the Nations League top tier by beating the Republic of Ireland.
Young Heskey aims to step out of dad's shadow with Blues
\"IT'S the normal,\" says one of the latest City academy strikers catching attention in describing his upbringing.
Safety pledge for Brits going overseas for ops
THE Health Secretary has said he will work to improve safety for Britons travelling abroad for cosmetic procedures in the wake of several deaths.
£15m 'wasted' on migrant camp site
THE Home Office spent £15m buying a derelict prison contaminated with asbestos amid political pressure to stop housing migrants in hotels, according to Whitehall's spending watchdog.
Experts: Climate talks 'no longer fit for purpose'
THE process of UN climate negotiations is no longer fit for purpose and requires a comprehensive overhaul, leading experts have warned.
McCall reveals tumour diagnosis
CELEBRITIES have flocked to wish Davina McCall well after she revealed she has been diagnosed with a brain tumour, with fellow TV presenter Amanda Holden sending \"so much love\".
'Revenge' shooting teen faces years behind bars
BOY BLASTED AT CLOSE RANGE WITH SHOTGUN IN PREMEDITATED AND PRE-PLANNED' ATTACK
'It was dark, the waves were very high - it was very, very hard'
THE M.E.N. SPEAKS TO ASYLUM SEEKERS WHOSE HOUSING AT A HOTEL HAS DIVIDED A TOWN
