City have not been playing well for a while, weaknesses are too frequently exposed while their failings are starting to become repetitive. That would suggest they are not minor issues and their problems could prove harder to resolve than initially thought.

There does not have to be a root cause for a team to dip, especially when you have won back-to-back league titles and completed a domestic clean sweep of silverware earlier this year. City are not looking as motivated, inevitable perhaps, after dominating football in this country for two years. Neither do they seem as confident or as certain of their omnipotence. There is a hint of doubt in their demeanour; the fear they may already be in decline, but have been too slow to realise it.

It would, of course, be dangerous to argue such a thing. City were supposedly going to allow Liverpool to become champions following a 2-1 defeat to Newcastle back in January, and responded by winning all their remaining league fixtures, along with both cup competitions to hammer home the riposte.

Dangerous, yes, because City demand respect, but neither is it a such a wild claim when the evidence to support it can be found in so many recent performances.