Off the naughty step and back into the light. Phil Foden might have tested Pep Guardiola’s patience with his little night out, but goals at tricky moments have a habit of soothing friction burns.

It wasn’t a classic of a strike, nor much of a memory maker. No. But it was nice, one of those controlled volleys from a short distance that looks easier than it is. And important, too. Important for him, important for Manchester City.

They had just started to feel a bit of a pinch, believe it or not. Brentford were pushing, forcing Ederson into one good save and Joao Cancelo into another off his own line in successive minutes, so there was pressure in this most unexpected of places.

That it was so necessary, and so conspicuous, was more of a surprise. We have become rather accustomed to City mauling all in sight, so it is almost jarring when they shuffle past opposition by the odd goal instead of robbing them down to their underpants.

But there is satisfaction in struggle and this was that kind of gig. Even after the goal, Brentford carried a threat. Nothing serious, but a threat nonetheless, and they deserved the muted distinction that comes on the rare occasions when City are prevented accumulating silly numbers.

On that front, it is worth noting at this point that their previous nine games were won by an aggregate of 30 goals to six; their 10th victory in succession had far less shine but weighed just as much.

So it wasn’t pretty, but it did grow their advantage to eight points over Chelsea and extended it to nine beyond Liverpool, who have a game in hand.

Mind the gap? It’s impossible to miss it. And increasingly difficult to bridge, too, with both of City’s main rivals dropping points since Christmas. Even in contagious times, even when they lack their usual edge, City somehow stay in the clean air.

For his part, Guardiola is making the right noises, saying that nothing is decided. That 54 points remain on the table. For the sake of the neutral, let’s hope he is right. But it is fair to doubt the longevity of any such disclaimers.

To get a sense of what the lesser lights of the division face when they take on his City, consider the team selections here. Brentford, ravaged by the loss of 11 first-team players, couldn’t even name a complete bench. Thomas Frank was down to the marrow of bare bones.

City, by luxurious contrast, could rotate Raheem Sterling and Riyad Mahrez onto the sidelines. Along with Oleksandr Zinchenko and Ilkay Gundogan, they made way for Nathan Ake and Gabriel Jesus, as well as the more eye-catching inclusions of Grealish and Foden, back from their spell in detention.