According to “Varzesh3,” in the 90+4th minute of the match against Aston Villa in the 34th week, Pep’s moment of redemption finally arrived. A moment when, after a season of carrying the burden of wounds, Manchester City’s coach was immersed in joy and dancing. Jeremy Doku’s explosive run down the left, his cross, and Matheus Nunes’ strike were all Guardiola needed to put eight months of nightmares behind him.

A valuable victory in the race for Champions League qualification against one of their direct rivals saw Pep Guardiola’s squad, with 61 points, temporarily rise to third place, now even eyeing Arsenal’s 66-point position in the remaining weeks.

Despite Manchester City’s weakest results this season since Guardiola took charge, the excitement and stress of their illustrious coach for his team’s victory remains as intense as during his golden era at the Etihad.

This was proven once again tonight by Guardiola after Nunes’ golden goal in the dying moments of the game. Jeremy Doku, with his explosive sprint near the touchline, delivered a ground pass to set up Nunes for the easiest of finishes in the final seconds, sending Guardiola into uncontrollable joy, fists clenched in triumph.

An image rarely seen from him this season, completely different from his exceptional reaction last season when City faced Tottenham, after Son Heung-min’s missed opportunity in the closing minutes. Back then, Pep’s squad eventually overtook Arsenal and Liverpool to claim the title, and now, nearing Champions League qualification, Guardiola’s elation after Nunes’ goal was palpable.

It’s been at least ten weeks since journalists and media outlets stopped linking Guardiola’s failures to his separation from his wife, and Manchester City has once again become one of the most prepared teams in the Premier League.

There are no more gruesome wounds on Guardiola’s head and face after Manchester City matches, and it seems his players no longer want to feel the taunting chants of rival fans with their weak performances.

Perhaps it’s time for Liverpool and Arsenal fans to worry again about the formation of a golden generation and Manchester City’s extraordinary results next season. A team that will undoubtedly have a lot to say with reinforcements in the summer transfer window.