Three things we learnt as Manchester City draw against Monaco after late Eric Dier penalty

Pep Guardiola's side were pegged back, though, after a sublime long-range effort from Jordan Teze that flew into the top corner, leaving no chance for Gianluigi Donnarumma.

City's Norwegian star up front nodded them back ahead, leaping far higher than any defender and slotting the ball clinically into the bottom corner.

But City could not hold onto the league again, as former Spurs defender Dier converted a late penalty after a controversial high-foot decision against Nico Gonzalez just minutes from time.

It was a game lacking intensity until the final minutes, where City tried to turn the screw on the French side but it was simply too late.

With that being said, here are three things we learnt from the game this evening.

​Erling Haaland keeps getting better

It wasn’t the Norwegian’s best season last year, although he still managed 21 league goals. But 63 Premier League goals in the two seasons prior showed a clear decline in form - not this year though.

This season, the 25-year-old has looked reinvigorated; he appears sharp, aggressive and absolutely back to his best. Eight league goals, double that of any other player and more than over half of the teams in the league, tell you he is back firing.

And if that didn’t demonstrate enough, then his performance tonight certainly did.

His first goal, and touch, was a beautiful dink over the goalkeeper. The run between the centre-backs was superb and expertly found by Jodko Gvardiol. One chance, one touch, one goal.

Still some vulnerabilities for City

For his second, the former Borussia Dortmund man used all of his 6ft 5in stature and leapt far higher than any defender to head the ball clinically into the bottom corner. A classic goal from the Norwegian.

Both chances were ruthlessly dispatched, and show Haaland’s simply world-class ability to find the back of the net. When he is firing, which he now is, Manchester City are an entirely different beast.

While it was a positive night on the whole for Guardiola’s side, there are still weaknesses to this City team.

While they do look ruthless in attack, Jeremy Doku has taken a giant leap forward this year, and Tijjani Reijnders looks a great addition, there is one position that is still a glaringly obvious vulnerability.

Monaco exposed City on multiple occasions and, if not for more Gianluigi Donnarumma heroics, could have done more than equalise.

One area they exploited in particular was down City’s right-hand side; in other words, John Stones. The English defender, while brilliant with his feet, has had his injury problems over the years, and his legs are not quite what they were. He also has never been a full-back.

The raw pace from wing-back Krepin Diatta in particular caused the former Everton star some issues on the night.

But what it highlights is the astonishing decision not to dip into the market for a right-back during the summer. Rico Lewis remains the Citizen’s only truly recognised player in such position, who has endured a decline in form of late.

Matheus Nunes has played a lot of games there for the club, but arrived as a midfielder and has not exactly set the world alight in that position. Abdukodir Khusanov has also played there, with minimal success.

On the whole, it shows this City team that, until last season didn’t have any weaknesses or any cracks at all, still showing some problems. It could be the reason why they will struggle to win the league again this year.

Rodri is warming back up

Just like Haaland, Rodri is gearing back up to being his best. Similarly to the Norwegian superstar, it spells trouble for the rest of Europe.

The Spaniard was colossal in the centre of the park for the Cityzens this evening, controlling the tempo on his own.

The insistent, vital interceptions, aggressive battles won, and constant awareness and scanning the pitch to offload the ball and keep it ticking over as quickly as possible is priceless; Pep Guardiola sorely missed his presence last year.

There was one sloppy moment, when he gave the ball away on the edge of Monaco’s box, pulled back the opposition and received a yellow card, and he was hooked at the hour mark to preserve his fitness; he’s not quite there yet.

But his performances have come on leaps and bounds since he made his initial return from the terrible ACL injury that kept him out of last season. Some players don’t make a full recovery from such a devastating injury, but it seems Rodri could be well on his way to doing just that.

Premier League sides will be on high alert, seeing both Haaland and Rodri back playing somewhat their best.