Manchester City enjoyed a near-perfect evening on Wednesday, as a Kevin de Bruyne-inspired 5-1 defeat of Wolves moved City three points clear at the top of the Premier League with just two games remaining.
The clarification of 'near-perfect' is important though - despite taking one step closer to a fourth league crown in five seasons, City's defensive injury crisis worsened.
City started the evening with their only full-fit senior centre-back partnered in defence by Fernandinho, but by the end of the game both had been substituted due to injury. Laporte took a heavy blow to the knee which required strapping and ice, while Fernandinho suffered what Guardiola described as a "muscular problem."
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Nathan Ake came off the bench to replace Laporte, but he himself is not fully fit. Rodri dropped back in the closing stages to fill in for Fernandinho, a role he might have to reprieve against West Ham on Sunday.
It's a worrying situation for City and Guardiola, but perhaps owing to the Blues' points and goal difference advantage over Liverpool, some fans on Twitter have taken a light-hearted view of the situation.
With City's luck with injuries this season, if you don't laugh you'll cry.
@Weezy_ef: Grealish x Steffen at CB you love to see it
@mcivillains: Imagine rocking a UCL final with Ake and Rodri as CBs
@Sean_MCFC7: Low-key dodged a bullet
@citehxenScott: Carson and Rodri CB
@evantmaldonado: Steffen in goal, Rodri-Ake CB, Ederson in the midfield
@Jonathanctid: Get Alfie Haaland back with his son
@muir1966: Rodri can step back to centre half but I'd rather see Egan-Riley given the chance with Ake as Rodri will be far more effective in his usual role.
@a1exbd: I think we need to look at the youth now. Mbete or Egan Riley?
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