Raheem Sterling was in that area again. He made a trademark late run into the box, bypassing the Côte d'Ivoire backline, taking up his position on the edge of the six-yard box – ready for a cutback.
It’s a position he’s mastered for over seven years at the club, but mainly since Pep Guardiola’s arrival in England. So often do we see a slick Manchester City move finished off by the right boot of Sterling – and Gareth Southgate has seen that to full effect.
This time it was his City teammate Jack Grealish who put it on a plate for him to slide home an England second, but his all-around performance was more than deserving of a goal, he was brilliant in his decision making and almost flawless in his execution.
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Of course, this is nothing new with Sterling and his national team. He scored three huge goals in last summer's delayed European Championship, with each one showcasing his unique ability to sniff out an opening.
Against Germany in the last-16, his burst of pace bypassed the midfield and allowed Grealish and Luke Shaw some space on the left. Some players may have stopped there and admired his intrinsic bit of creativity – not Sterling – he raced straight back into the box and was on-hand to slam home a vital opening goal.
We would be here all-day listing examples of the times he’s done the same for City, but his unique knack of turning up on the biggest occasions is something Guardiola can harness in a hectic title run-in.
The players returned to the CFA yesterday ahead of a massive Premier League clash with Burnley on Saturday afternoon. The Blues know there’s little margin for error between now and the end of the season if they’re to lift some of the game’s biggest prizes.
Guardiola’s team selection will be crucial, and the performances of Phil Foden and Riyad Mahrez will surely have secured their spot in the front three. So, there’s one more spot up-for-grabs.
Sterling and Grealish have been rotated back and forth throughout the season in the crunch fixtures, but despite the emerging quality of the latter, the former has got previous for getting City over the line.
So many times, in title-winning seasons, the 27-year-old has come up with a big moment, and the Blues will be needing a few more of them very soon. Much has been made of the club’s lack of a recognised striker, so Sterling can become that outlet and convert all these flashed efforts across the six-yard box into goals.
One thing is for sure, City will have to be more clinical in front of goal when they face the likes of Liverpool and Atletico Madrid. Against two of the best defences in Europe, chances will be limited, and Guardiola may call on his master poacher to be that nuisance.
If there was any doubting his form, his England displays have firmly put that to bed. Sterling will have a big say in whether City win any major trophies at the end of the season – starting on Saturday.
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