'Not the best, but getting close' - how high can Man City finish?

 But after watching his side comprehensively thrash a struggling Ipswich 6-0 on Sunday he looked far more relaxed. It was a display that provided a reminder of just why City have been the dominant side in English football in recent years.

"We are back to doing things that define this team for the last 10 years," Guardiola told Sky Sports afterwards.

"I'm really pleased for the players, they deserve it. They suffer a lot in this time, but we recovered some identities we lost in this path."

Just one league win in nine games during November and December was hugely damaging to City's hopes of a fifth successive title as they are now 12 points behind leaders Liverpool, who also have a game in hand.

Top four is far more realistic and the goal rush at Ipswich helped them overtake Newcastle in fourth and six points shy of second-placed Arsenal and Nottingham Forest.

Guardiola, though, was just happy to see signs of his old team as they took total control against Town.

"[It was] much better," he added. "Maybe not our best, but closer.

"The players realised where we were, our standards lacked because it's not just winning titles, it is the joy to do your best.

"It doesn't matter if you're a big actor in London or a little theatre in Sheffield - it doesn't matter.

"I think the players proved many things and hopefully it can be the beginning of recognising ourselves of who we were."

This was the biggest Premier League win this season, with City opening up Ipswich time and again with crisp passing and movement that was pivotal to their past successes, but sorely missing during their bad spell.

When dominant, City would score for fun and that free-scoring form also appears to have returned with 14 goals in their last four games. This result was also their joint-biggest away win in Premier League history, matching the 6-0 defeat of Watford in the 2017.

The top four will definitely qualify for the Champions League next season but that could increase to five depending on English clubs' success in this year's competition.