Manchester City weren't at their best on Saturday evening against Leicester, but in the end, they got the job done.
Although the Citizens came away with all three points as well as a clean sheet, it was a performance that would still have concerned Pep Guardiola - a manager who constantly seeks nothing short of perfection.
Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers was without Wilfred Ndidi, who was ruled out through injury, while he also didn't have Hamza Choudhury available after he was sent off during their last game. As a result, the boss was left with a bit of a selection dilemma.
However, he opted to switch formations, deploying three (or five) at the back, rather than their more commonly used system of four at the back. In the reverse fixture, the Foxes lined up with four in defence, but this time, Christian Fuchs came into the team to provide additional cover.
This decision proved to be a clever one, with the hosts looking menacing in all areas of the pitch throughout the clash. They were able to prevent Guardiola's men from picking up pockets of space to work in, nullifying the threat on their goal. Equally, they were bright going forward and caused a number of problems.
City were certainly not playing at their fluent, free-flowing best. Far from it.
However, at the start of the second half, Kevin de Bruyne forced Kasper Schmeichel into a stunning low save. Despite this attempt, the Foxes were largely untroubled at the back.
But in a game of fine margins, City were awarded a penalty for a handball by Dennis Praet. It was a controversial decision, especially considering VAR's decision not to give the hosts a penalty for a similar incident involving De Bruyne.
Nonetheless, a penalty was awarded, and Guardiola's men had the opportunity to take the lead from 12 yards. A golden chance for any side.
But for Manchester City, well, scoring from the spot has proven to be a rather challenging task for them.
And, of course...they were denied. One of the most prolific strikers in world football Sergio Aguero placed the ball on the spot and although he struck the ball low into the bottom left corner of the goal, Schmeichel produced a world class save, diving low to parry it away.
Now, any player, no matter how good they are, can miss a spot-kick. But this miss now means that Manchester City have missed five of their last seven penalties. This season, they have a conversion rate of just...43%.
And if that wasn't concerning enough, they have missed their last four opportunities from 12 yards, with the Manchester-based side missing each of their three spot-kicks in 2020.
In 2020, Aguero, Ilkay Gundagon and Gabriel Jesus have all missed their chances, and considering their recent struggles, it is astonishing that De Bruyne, who is one of the best strikers of a football, has not been given his chance.
This must change.
The Citizens may have come away with a win and they may have picked up another clean sheet, but Guardiola simply must address this issue.
They may not be at their very best at this moment in time, but they remain one of the best teams in world football - and this lack of ruthlessness from the spot simply shouldn't be happening for any side, let alone Manchester City.
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90min