Crisis averted then for Manchester City. Or perhaps that should read crisis postponed? The champions of England escaped the league phase and through a certain prism, there is a case to be made that Pep Guardiola's side are well into the post-nadir period of their season.

As Manchester City seek to get back to their best we can see a conflict between what Pep Guardiola wants his side to be and what they are.

Manchester City have qualified for the Champions League play-off round after coming from behind to beat Club Brugge. Facing elimination from European competition altogether, City knew nothing less than victory would be enough and for 52 minutes they were on the brink before Pep Guardiola intervened with a half-time substitution.

His team barely scraped through to the knockout rounds, needing a 3-1 win over Club Brugge to finish 22nd. Read more at straitstimes.com.

Pep Guardiola’s men came from behind to triumph at the Etihad Stadium and secure their place in the next round

A fire broke out in a merchandise stall outside the Etihad shortly before kick-off in tonight’s crucial Champions League fixture between Manchester City and Club Brugge.

Manchester City know only a win will do when they host Club Brugge in their final league-phase game. They have not missed out on the Champions League knockout stages since 2012/13.

The victory in their league-phase finale secured Pep Guardiola's men a spot in the two-legged play-off knockout round

Manchester City scraped through to the playoff knockout round of the Champions League with a 3-1 win Club Brugge at Etihad Stadium on Wednesday as Liverpool wrapped up top spot in the group phase.

Despite trailing at half-time, Manchester City found a way to keep their Champions League campaign alive by beating Club Brugge.

THEY were putting out fires inside and outside the Etihad last night.  First, a merchandise stall on the stadium’s perimeter burst into flames.  Then, Pep Guardiola’s men appeared to be

Premier League champions come from 1-0 down to secure Champions League play-off spot with Pep Guardiola's side to face either Real Madrid or Bayern Munich in the first knockout round