City have started 2025 in the way they would have wanted and with League Two Salford visiting in the FA Cup next week, they have something to build on. But Guardiola will know their problems have not disappeared.

In a single moment, the impact Rodri’s absence continues to have on City was highlighted during a strange opening period.

As Rico Lewis struggled to deal with a bouncing ball from a West Ham half clearance, Mateo Kovacic got himself round to help, but without anticipating the danger posed by an onrushing Summerville.

When Lewis turned towards his own goal, Summerville pounced. It is easy to imagine Rodri getting across to cover, but Kovacic was in slightly the wrong place and lacked the pace to make amends.

For all the talk of Rodri returning before the end of the season – and at the very least for City’s Club World Cup campaign next summer – Guardiola knows his side will remain weaker without an adequate replacement.

Of the trio of highly rated players City have an interest in – Eintracht Frankfurt forward Omar Marmoush, Uzbekistan defender Abdukodir Khusanov and Atalanta midfielder Ederson – evidently the latter is most suited to City’s need.

But in all the cases, there is uncertainty over how much over the odds City would have to pay to lure someone in mid-season who is such a key figure for their clubs. Atalanta, for instance, are top of Serie A and aiming to be champions for the first time in their history.

These are issues for outgoing sporting director Txiki Begiristain and City’s executive team to resolve.

For now, Guardiola must hope a 10-day break until his side’s next league game offers a bit of respite from injury woes that kept Ederson, Ruben Dias and John Stones out of this game and had 39-year-old keeper Scott Carson warming up late on as Stefan Ortega received treatment for what appeared to be a back problem.