A Phil Foden double with certain similarities meant that this is as close as Haaland has come to being upstaged by anyone else at Manchester City this season. Many a match has lent itself to the theory that they are over-reliant on their giant talisman for goals but this was not one of them.

At half-time, a caption on the big screens at the Etihad Stadium flashed the words “vintage Phil Foden” as the midfielder’s masterful opening goal was discussed.