Enzo Maresca's use of substitutions has been a standout feature of Manchester City's perfect start to the Premier League season, with the Blues winning all six matches and sitting three points clear at the top of the table.
The latest victory came at Liverpool on Sunday, a ground where City have not tasted success often in the last two decades, and was delivered against the backdrop of the guilty verdict in the long-running 115 case against the Premier League.
Impactful changes at Anfield
At Anfield, Jeremy Doku was called for 10 minutes into the second half. Within 12 minutes of his arrival, the Belgian had tempted a second yellow card from Liverpool midfielder Ryan Gravenberch, had a major hand in Erling Haaland's opener, and scored a game-clinching second. It was a substitution of dreams for a manager.
While it is easy to say in hindsight that bringing on Doku was an obvious move, doing it so soon after the break, and knowing the winger was the only real attacking game-changer among the subs, was a brave call.
Pattern of bold decisions
Maresca had done similar in the Manchester derby last month when he replaced Cherki with Iliman Ndiaye at half-time. City were down to 10 men and sacrificing a playmaker like Cherki was viewed by plenty as a defensive change designed to shore City up and protect a point. But the Senegal international's impact was impressive, with his ball-carrying ability helping City up the pitch, his energy providing an outlet, and his ability having a say in the attacking third as the Blues claimed a 1-0 win.
It started on the opening day when the comeback win over Bournemouth was inspired by a Cherki goal and assist as City came from one down to win 2-1 in the final few minutes. Maresca had earlier replaced Rico Lewis with Matheus Nunes, just 12 minutes after the break, in a move to ensure City were able to stem the Bournemouth tide somewhat and provide a platform for Cherki and Co to turn the game on its head.
Defensive thinking too
Maresca's substitutions also extend to his defensive thinking. Replacing Nico O'Reilly on Sunday with the City man on a booking was a smart move, and his replacement Josko Gvardiol even popped up with a sublime assist for Cherki's third. There was a similar decision taken in Porto when Gvardiol was on a yellow and skirting close to being sent off when Maresca replaced him just minutes into the second period.
The City boss has barely put a foot wrong since his arrival at the club, and the impact of his substitutions will have King Midas worrying for his crown.
