How many of you would have taken a point before the start of last night’s game"

The majority I suspect, although it says something about the mentality and bravery of this team and, crucially, its head coach that after a difficult night, it was those in yellow, not white, who finished the stronger and who looked most likely to snatch a late winner.

That would have been harsh on Red Bull Leeds though who, generally, controlled the possession and tempo of the game, and who looked precisely what they are – the favourites to win this league.

This wasn’t a City performance of fluency and style but rather one of grit, determination and steel – qualities that have to come to the fore when you come up against opponents with, generally, more quality and squad depth. But there was more than just that.
Grit, determination and steel were in evidence when we played Leeds at home four-and-a-bit months ago in the first leg of the playoff semifinal, but that day there was nothing else – very little intent other than to keep a clean sheet and just hang in there.

Last night was different.

While part of Johannes Hoff Thorup’s game plan was very much based around maintaining a solid defensive shape in order to survive the difficult moments – and there were plenty – there was also a clear plan to break quickly when the opportunity was there. And they did.

So, the same result as May 12 but a completely different mindset....