In years gone by, Pep Guardiola had compared a trip to Burnley with visiting the dentist. Every team knows it’s going to hurt - but it has to be done.
However, there was no need for any numbing agent at the pain administered by Dr Sean Dyche on Saturday. This was just a superficial examination - a potential date with the drill that turned into a quick check-up - that Manchester City breezed through with a clean bill of health.
One goal ahead after five minutes, two-up before the half-hour was out and then an extended game of keep-ball as the Clarets sweated in the spring sun. Liverpool fans will be eager to see if there were any signs of crumbling confidence - any potential cracks in the sky blue ranks ahead of next Sunday’s mouth-watering showdown at the Etihad. In short, no, there weren’t.
Jurgen Klopp’s side may have thrown down the gauntlet at Anfield but Guardiola picked it up and slapped both the Clarets and his managerial rivals around the face with it. Again and again. Perhaps it should come as no surprise that there was no repeat of the glut of chances that went begging at Crystal Palace in a frustrating goalless draw three weeks ago.
That turned up the heat a notch. But instead of shrivelling up and wilting, Guardiola’s players donned their sunglasses and enjoyed themselves. If they were feeling any pressure at seeing a 14-point lead whittled away, they weren’t showing it. The sight of Liverpool on top of the pile for the first time since September did not fill the Catalan’s Class of ’22 with dread. Why should it?
City came off a fiendishly long run three years ago when they won a game of cat and mouse with the Reds that lasted three months. There were split kick-off times back then. It didn’t matter. The game of one-upmanship lasted until the final day of the season. The pair served up one of the greatest title races in modern football history and pushed each other to the limit.
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City did not drop one single point between the end of January and the end of the season. Liverpool did the same from the beginning of March. So the fact that they are in the same positions again now has rekindled memories of that titanic struggle. But there was no iceberg in east Lancashire - it was difficult to escape the conclusion at the final whistle that Clarets’ chief Dyche had more of an eye on this Wednesday’s date of destiny against Everton.
Burnley usually make life difficult. But they were too compliant, too eager to funnel back into their shape as City passed the ball about in front of them. You can bet your bottom dollar there won’t be a repeat showing of that against the Toffees. As for City, this was the perfect opportunity to get back into the old routine following a two-week international break.
For them, Atletico Madrid has to be the focus in the Champions League this midweek. As it does for the Reds against Benfica. But there can be little doubt that the eyes of the footballing world will already be fixed firmly on the Etihad. Even on a weekend of top-quality sport - the Grand National, the Melbourne Grand Prix and the Masters - the meeting of the Premier League’s two frontrunners tops the bill.
Three years ago, they didn’t face one another during the run-in. And even allowing for the winning streaks that both clubs subsequently produced it was a meeting between them at the Etihad in January which went a long way towards City winning the race. This time, the margin for error is way smaller. The remaining fixtures are fewer. And the world of football is licking its lips at what’s to come.
