Pep Guardiola enjoys his own personal Man City ‘transfer window’ for title run-in

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Imagine for a second a return to the days before the advent of the transfer window.

Back to a time when trophy-chasing teams could make a last-minute addition to their squads in a bid to gain that crucial advantage over their rivals in the final weeks of the season.

In a sense Pep Guardiola has been allowed to step back in time and do just that.

The most routine of 2-0 wins against Cardiff was notable for the contribution of two men who have seen precious little action in Manchester City's quadruple pursuit.

The talisman of last season's record-breaking title triumph, Kevin de Bruyne, opened the scoring after six minutes, with his first goal since January and only his fifth all season.

Player ratings  

How did City fare vs Cardiff?  

Ederson 6

Danilo 7

Stones 7

Laporte 7

Zinchenko 4

Fernandinho 6

De Bruyne 8

Foden 8

Mahrez 7

Jesus 6

Sane 7

Substitutes

Walker 6

Phil Foden, meanwhile, made his long-awaited first Premier League start – and was a hair's breadth away from matching De Bruyne's influence in midfield.

And as City close in on history, Guardiola's has two potential aces in the pack to take his champions to another level.

As if a victory that saw them leapfrog Liverpool at the top of the table wasn't ominous enough for Jurgen Klopp and his title-chasers. The prospect of the Merseysiders seeing their title rivals significantly strengthened for the season's run-in will be another body blow in this titanic tussle at the top.

De Bruyne was back to his imperious best.

Getty Images

Back to the player he was as Guardiola's side racked up 100 points last term, with the Belgian their most influential force.

Two separate knee ligament injuries have robbed City of the 27-year-old for the majority campaign, which makes their pursuit of a clean sweep all the more impressive.

"We miss him," said Guardiola. "The result might not show it, but we miss him."

Liverpool have pushed City harder than anyone could have anticipated this season – and with such narrow margins in the race for the title, De Bruyne's match-winning could make all the difference.

That was the case in a one-sided contest with Cardiff.

As Gabriel Jesus squandered a host of chances, it was the playmaker who burst into the box to settle the nerves and fire into the roof of the net early on – even if he admitted later that his goal was a miss-hit cross.

Cardiff had no answer to his movement or incisive crossing and passing, which deserved better finishing from those around him.

Had Leroy Sane not doubled City's lead just before the break with a fierce first time effort from the edge of the box Neil Warnock might have begun to think of a famous upset.

REUTERS

Foden, meanwhile, demonstrated the qualities that have seen him identified as one of the finest emerging talents in world football.

His bravery in possession, vision and willingness to take the ball in tight spaces was evidence that he can hold his own in such a star-studded squad.

A star-studded squad that is only getting stronger as the season reaches a critical stage.

Mendy's chance for redemption

AFP/Getty Images

Alex Zinchenko's hamstring injury looks set to see him ruled out of Satruday's FA Cup semi final against Brighton.

And with Fabian Delph also out, Guardiola may have to turn Benjamin Mendy at Wembley.

The Frenchman risked the wrath of his manager after being spotted partying in the early hours of the morning in a Manchester nightclub last weekend.

The £49m left back was left out of the squad entirely for Cardiff and Guardiola refused to confirm he'd be back in his plans, even with so few options in his role.

But he will surely have to turn to the France World Cup winner, who may consider this his last chance of redemption ahead of a summer when Guardiola plans to bring in top class competition.

Cardiff and (maybe) Liverpool let off the hook

AFP/Getty Images

Victory saw City move back to the top of the table by a single point.

But a superior goal difference of nine to Liverpool is effectively worth another point.

Even still, Guardiola may look back on this match as a missed opportunity to seize an even greater advantage over Klopp's side.

City scored twice, but such was their dominance that they could have been six up by half time.

It was one way traffic and had Sergio Aguero been on the pitch it could have been a repeat of the 9-0 score line they posted against Burton.

Instead they had to settle for just the two.

Given Liverpool's firepower, it is not beyond the realms of belief that they could eat up that goal difference.

In a title race that threatens to go down to the wire, the finest of margins could decide it.

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