It was a landmark occasion for Pep Guardiola. Not because he took charge of Manchester City for the 500th time, joining only Les McDowall in a select club, but because a manager who was a byword for winning actually won a game. For a manager with 39 trophies in his career, such results seemed routine.
Not any more. After nine defeats in 13 games, there was relief and respite, the rarity of victory. “I never thought it was so difficult to win one single game,” said Guardiola, after his side made hard work of a 2-0 triumph over Leicester City. “The right word, more than happiness, is relief.”
