After watching Erling Haaland score a third hat-trick in as many home Premier League games, all eyes were on Southampton as they looked for a way to deal with the Premier League's top scorer.
The Manchester City striker went into the weekend with twice as many league goals as any other player, while a midweek double against FC Copenhagen took him up to 20 in 13 games for club and country after drawing a blank in the community shield. That almost became 21 in 14 inside 15 minutes, with a first-time effort cannoning back off Gavin Bazunu's post, and he eventually got on the scoresheet in the second half.
It isn't just about keeping Haaland (comparatively) quiet, of course. Bournemouth kept the Norwegian at bay in August but still conceded four, and the likes of Phil Foden and Riyad Mahrez had plenty of chances themselves with Saints defenders otherwise occupied before an even more unlikely source - full-back Joao Cancelo - broke the deadlock.
It's a lose-lose situation for opponents. It takes so much mental energy to stop Haaland, with only one goal for him almost considered a success for a defending side, that it's practically impossible to do so while also denying his teammates.
Would Phil Foden have had enough space and time to double City's need if a less dangerous striker was occupying the Southampton back-line? It seems unlikely, and the England international well and truly made the most of the opportunity.
That goal came via a Kevin De Bruyne assist, and the Belgian continues to climb the charts even when Haaland isn't the man on the receiving end. He's up to 95 in the league, fifth in the all-time charts, and just 17 adrift of second place (though Ryan Giggs' record might never be broken).
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It's only taken two months and we've already reached the point where the mere idea of Haaland is downing opposition teams. That might not seem significant, but it's a key difference which could be important not just at home but on the continent as well.
Previous incarnations of Pep Guardiola's team have had all the requisite parts but without that element of absolute terror. There has been a feeling that you'll always get a chance, especially in Europe, and last season's collapse against Real Madrid is a prime example.
It's much harder for opponents to throw bodies forward when to do so leaves them at risk of being punished by a man who loves nothing more than the act of punishing defences. It says a lot that City's triple-change 20 minutes from time didn't involve a rest for the former Dortmund man - he had got a taste of blood, and was in no mood to take a back seat.
The hosts' comfortable win put the pressure back on Arsenal, who now need a victory of their own to return to the summit. It's pressure on Gabriel Jesus, too, with the former City striker tasked with leading the Gunners to victory over Liverpool.
Still, while Haaland's goal tally is rightfully the subject of attention, that focus has distracted from City's threat beyond the Norwegian. Take out his 15 league goals and Guardiola's team still have more than 16 of the other 19 teams in the division.
We've seen Manchester City drop points this season, so we know it's something that can happen. However, with each passing game like this one, the idea of Guardiola's team doing anything other than swatting opponents to one side feels impossible.
