JACK GAUGHAN: Manchester City are peaking at just the right time in this title race

Erling Haaland was a fan for the day. A fan in a fancy box, but one nonetheless. A fan who joined the other fans in doing the Poznan (turning his back on the game, jumping up and down) to taunt the opposition. One that mutilated his friend, Ivar Eggja, when the first goal came in.

So animated that Haaland could have done it in the groin. Manchester City would not want that. Pep Guardiola sounded like a man who believes his 42-goal striker will be back in business at Southampton next weekend.

They could have lost it against Liverpool, but they didn’t. The performance, probably the best of the season, made one wonder how many the big man could have hit.

It’s the first time since last May that they’ve won four Premier League games in a row and it’s not a bad time to do it.

Haaland knew this, running across the stadium from his private rooms to the tunnel and making sure to congratulate his teammates as they entered the locker room. Big hugs, pats on the back. Some selfies. The normal.

It arrived in the absence of Erling Haaland, who was watching from the stands

Pep Guardiola’s side may have peaked at the perfect time in the title race

That was a stark difference from the scenes outside the training ground on the road at 3.55pm on Friday, when he was frustrated driving away five minutes before the session was due to start, knowing he would be away for Liverpool’s visit. . Arsenal would win again so no change at the top but City feel they are in the rhythm.

Eight points is the gap, City with one game less, and it could be that they have to win every game from now on if Guardiola wants to clinch a third successive title.

“There are still a lot of games to play, but we probably have to win them all,” defender Manuel Akanji said. “That’s what we’re after, and we hope to be able to do it.”

City have done it before, of course. Guardiola has given his players three days off, presumably under strict instructions not to disturb the clientele of the Revolution Bar in Wilmslow, and wants them to recharge for the final push and that seemingly endless European quest.

Bernardo Silva said: ‘Where we are at the moment is the best we’ve played, by far. We have to keep the momentum. It’s a time of the season when everyone is connected to the game and is in good physical shape.’

Arsenal travel like this at the end of the month but Silva agrees with Akanji. “If we slip up earlier, it doesn’t matter what happens in that game,” added the Portuguese midfielder. “Arsenal can win the title, but we will fight until the end.”

City are a mildly favorable fixture and there could well be a winner-take-all feeling in the Arsenal game. Guardiola has found a slightly modified way of playing, starting four center halves with John Stones on the right and moving into midfield when he has possession. Spoiler: they are always in possession. It’s not much different, but the inclusion of the wider Stones, and sticking with Nathan Ake on the left, has added a twist. Stones does it effortlessly.

And there are key players starting to peak. Riyad Mahrez, Ilkay Gundogan and Kevin De Bruyne were all outstanding against Liverpool, City were so in control that the game died for 20 minutes after Gundogan’s goal. He died because City wanted him. That is an important indicator of how they are performing.

One man was above the rest, again. Akanji laughed. “It’s weird,” he said. Erling didn’t play and I don’t get any questions about him. Now it’s all about Jack Grealish!

Magnificent Grealish. A goal and an assist, but much more. Best summed up 60 seconds before going through Julián Álvarez. Mohamed Salah, who scored the first, was running clear, ready to square off for Diogo Jota. Grealish’s defensive sprint of 70+ yards saved an almost certain second and then it becomes a different game. He went up the other side, Álvarez scored and City were out.

“It was amazing,” Silva said. It’s been very, very good (this year). Sometimes it takes time. The first season at City is not easy. For me it was not easy. It is not easy for Riyadh either.

“People just think you’re going to get into one of the best teams in the world and you’re going to start every game and be the best player every game.” It just doesn’t work that way. The coach demands a lot from the players, it’s a different style of play than most other teams. You have to get used to it. I’ve had my hard times. You just accept it and move on. Jack accepted it and got over it. When he’s in this form, he’s really good for our team.”

Jack Grealish was magnificent in the game, getting a goal and an assist

Arsenal must watch out for City’s form as end of season approaches

Grealish’s illness over the weekend meant he was unlikely to have celebrated with his usual Chinese takeaway from Wing’s. Her stomach might as well have been upset from the kicks she was receiving, which is the case most weeks.

“It’s because he holds on to the ball for so long,” Akanji quipped. “We know we can always pass the ball to him and he’s very good at keeping that ball.”

City have the same amount at the moment, but they are being much more decisive.

Guardiola wants them to keep it up if they want to have any chance of toppling Arsenal.