Even on a day of comebacks, the defining figure may have been a man who is not yet ready to return. For the second successive weekend at the Etihad Stadium, the loudest ovation did not greet a goal, but the sight of one of the great figures in Manchester City’s history. This time, unlike against Sheffield United, Kevin De Bruyne came off the bench, registering a first appearance in 149 days and a second assist of his interrupted season. Jeremy Doku returned, too, after an eight-game absence, to benefit from his fellow Belgian’s supply line.
And yet, as Huddersfield Town were duly eliminated from the FA Cup, they may have had reasons to be grateful Erling Haaland remains sidelined; so, too, a couple of City players. The home faithful, with memories of a 10-1 victory against Town in 1987, chorused “we want 10”. It may be unfair to Darren Moore’s team, who defended diligently, to suggest they would have got their wish were the Norwegian fit.
