Manchester City were 3-0 up against Manchester United as Sunday's derby entered the 41st minute, but when Kyle Walker signalled to the bench that he needed to be replaced you could almost hear the collective groan ripple around the Etihad Stadium.
The party atmosphere remained - not even an injury to a key player could dampen spirits - but Walker's injury did put a slight downer on an otherwise remarkable afternoon.
Walker was replaced by Sergio Gomez, who slotted in at left-back to allow Joao Cancelo to deputise for Walker on the right. The switch did little to disrupt City's rhythm, as Phil Foden scored City's fourth moments later before both he and Erling Haaland completed their hat-tricks in the second half.
While Gomez will no-doubt face tougher opponents over the course of his City career, he enjoyed another impressive outing that showed just why City decided to sign him after their move for Brighton's Marc Cucurella.
It took just £11m (plus add-ons) for City to prise the young Spaniard away from Belgian side Anderlecht, but already it looks like the Blues have achieved something that seemed impossible: replacing Oleksandr Zinchenko.
Replacing the Ukrainian - who was sold to Arsenal for £32m - did not pose a challenge because he was better than any other left-back around. Zinchenko was very good - particularly from a technical perspective - but his USP was his ability to play with the same technical brilliance and selfless, warrior attitude in practically any position on the pitch.
Versatile 'utility' players are hard enough to come by in elite football, never mind ones who possess the quality to play in a Pep Guardiola team. Zinchenko was quick-witted and intelligent, possessing a great understanding of City's positional play style and the ability to switch seamlessly between roles. He had the vision and passing ability to play in midfield, the pace and delivery to play on the wing and the doggedness to play at left-back.
Gomez has those same qualities and in spades. Against United he came on at left-back, but towards the end he had pushed into a midfield role as Guardiola rung the changes with the game all-but wrapped up. He provided a superb cross that Haaland converted for his hat-trick goal, highlighting exactly how he was able to register 12 assists in the Belgian league last season.
Earlier in the week he provided an assist while playing for Spain's Under-21 side, although he did so while playing on the right wing. A more versatile young player, City would have struggled to find.
Aside from being a quality footballer, a large part of the reason why City fans grew so fond of Zinchenko was his personality, his hunger and eagerness to help the team in whatever way he could, even if it meant playing out of his favoured position.
With Cancelo established as City's starting left-back, Gomez might have to take up a similar role as his predecessor. Luckily for City, he is perfectly equipped to do so.
Veadoprtu
0
gootgoot
Selisho_Chilufya
1
@autty you are one heck of an author 😂😂🔥
Nidabcenuz
1
Honestly!! Zinchenko is irreplaceable... really.... Arsenal are Lucky to snitch him from Manchester city 🏙️
Miockmnt
3
everyone forget utd score 3 goals in the 2nd half with gomez playing
0nos_
1
Gomez cannot be compared to zinchenko They are not mates at all
Mukhtari
0
let's face facts here City sold zinchenko for 32 million that they got for less then 2 million he was never a 1st name on the team sheet and got gomez for 11m for pep to train and adapt him to City style 22m profit for a squad player
whatever
ManCityFanForever
0
they sold zinchenko to arsenal only because he wanted to leave for more game time, he wasn't shipped out like you said.
Dude we wanted him sell him by 2019 itself but he persisted and fought for his place. He said wanted to stay. That’s alright, but you gotta prove it. Gomez hasn’t proven anything right now, just few assists and passes won’t be make him irreplaceable.
Nuoalpsuyz
0
Zinchenko was not the best quality at LB when he played at MC hence he was shipped out last summer. He ,of course had other notable strengths,like playing in pockets of spaces in the midfield and wide areas but was averagely below par from expectations. Too early for Sergio Gomez to lay any performance claims yet, as a better replacement..but his goal assist for Haaland against ManU is a good start .
let's face facts here City sold zinchenko for 32 million that they got for less then 2 million he was never a 1st name on the team sheet and got gomez for 11m for pep to train and adapt him to City style 22m profit for a squad player
Mukhtari
2
You don’t understand Zinchenko isn’t LB but Midfielder. He’s strength is versatility.
they sold zinchenko to arsenal only because he wanted to leave for more game time, he wasn't shipped out like you said.
ManCityFanForever
1
stop being an ignorant person, it's not good for your health
You don’t understand Zinchenko isn’t LB but Midfielder. He’s strength is versatility.
Mukhtari
1
Zinchenko was not the best quality at LB when he played at MC hence he was shipped out last summer. He ,of course had other notable strengths,like playing in pockets of spaces in the midfield and wide areas but was averagely below par from expectations. Too early for Sergio Gomez to lay any performance claims yet, as a better replacement..but his goal assist for Haaland against ManU is a good start .
stop being an ignorant person, it's not good for your health
Mandowell
2
more games Time
zebaelmy
3
He needs more games, still very nervous even though he had made an assist.
DangerCross
7
City fans knowing that they have a strong squad for many years to come
rumbklmz
6
Zinchenko was not the best quality at LB when he played at MC hence he was shipped out last summer. He ,of course had other notable strengths,like playing in pockets of spaces in the midfield and wide areas but was averagely below par from expectations. Too early for Sergio Gomez to lay any performance claims yet, as a better replacement..but his goal assist for Haaland against ManU is a good start .