Pep Guardiola's side attention turns back to the Premier League with Brentford visiting the Etihad Stadium as Jack Grealish and Kyle Walker were benched for the clash.
There was five changes from the side that eased past Championship league leaders Fulham in the FA Cup, just a matter of days earlier, with Aymeric Laporte replacing Walker amongst the notable swaps.
In their previous meeting, there was a return to the fold for Grealish and Phil Foden after they faced disciplinary action for their conduct following their win over Leeds.
Ironically, for the reverse fixture, the £100m summer signing hit the headlines after being filmed leaving a restaurant with teammates and staff as well as Riyad Mahrez.
This time around the Spaniard was more jovial about the outing and took more of a grudge from not being invited to their rendezvous, although it was severe enough to see him consigned to the bench.
Thomas Frank's side bowed out of the FA Cup as they were beaten by Everton. Brentford are without a win since January 8 and are on a run that has brought just two wins in their last 10, with the eight results ending in defeat for the Bees.
Below, MEN Sport has taken a close look at what some of the City supporters have had to say in response to the England duo starting from the bench after they were subject to the publicity this week.
Has Pep Guardiola got his selection right? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.
Steffen returned to the bench with Ederson maintaining his number one shirt.
Mahrez, who grabbed a brace against the Cottages, continued to lead the line alongside England duo Foden and Sterling.
Ilkay Gundogan and Fernandinho also made way.
Gabriel Jesus remained on the sidelines after picking up a knock on international duty.
Man City XI: Ederson, Cancelo, Dias, Stones, Laporte, Rodrigo, De Bruyne, Bernardo, Mahrez, Foden, Sterling
Substitutes: Steffen, Walker, Ake, Gundogan, Grealish, Zinchenko, Fernandinho, Delap, McAtee
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