At half-time, I adapted. Not a wholesale change, a tactical tweak, delivered through questions rather than instructions. The new Danny. The Danny who had learned from the Neves incident, from Frankie's visit, from Sakho giving the City speech.
"Nya," I said. "What are you seeing in their midfield?"
Kirby, who had been the best player on the pitch, answered immediately. "Obiang is sitting deep. He's not pressing. If I drop in front of him, I'm wasting my position. I need to get beyond him playing higher, let Jake screen alone."
"Do it."
"Eberechi, where's the space?"
Eze thought. "Between their left centre-back and left-back. When I drift there, the centre-back follows. But the full-back doesn't cover. Michael's been finding that space but the pass hasn't come quickly enough."
"Then make it quicker. One touch. First time. Michael, be ready."
