Chaos theory prevails as City find a way when there didn't look to be one

Are you not entertained?

Thirteen goals in five Carrow Road days, ten in the right net, all wrapped up in the clearest of demarcation lines between Hoff-ball and Wagner-ball. Chalk and cheese. Sorry, David.

It wasn’t perfect though, far from it – BBC Sport’s description of the afternoon as an “error-strewn contest” wasn’t far from the mark – but City’s ability to find a way in a game that could easily have fizzled out into a 2-2 draw was what made it so impressive.

Credit to Johannes Hoff Thorup for demonstrating that it is possible to influence a game from the technical area if you are given the tools on said bench in the first place

As the clock ticked past 62 minutes, and with Luton having equalized before the second half had hardly started, the game appeared to have reached an impasse.

The mistakes and errors persisted, Shane Duffy was having a wobble and was falling out with the whole River End, and my River Rnd neighbour commented that, even at that relatively early stage, both teams appeared reasonably content with a draw.

He had a point. It felt like stalemate territory.

But then Thorup turned to his Hoff-ball manual and the chapter entitled 'Chaos Theory'.

Or as we know him ... Onel Hernandez.

He was, at that moment, exactly what was needed. A potentially sterile 2-2 draw was turned on its head by someone who bleeds green and yellow, is more than a little unpredictable, and feels, for a couple of reasons, that he has a point to prove.

It was a perfect stage for Onel. An opportunity. And he took it.

Never has the word 'scamper' been better suited to a footballer, and he did to his heart's content. He also chased, harried, drove, and closed down. And he gave Luton's defence something different to think about.

His unpredictability has always been both a blessing and a curse.

If Onel is not 100 per cent sure what Onel is going to do, how the heck are his opponents expected to second-guess? But yesterday it was just what was needed, and while the pièce de résistance was that lovely dropped shoulder and pick-out of Borja Sainz for number four, the 'chaos' has been ongoing since minute 62.

For those who have not followed Hernandez's route to fitness (and to coffee shops, hairdressers, cinemas etc) on his own YouTube channel, I'd recommend it. Apart from coming across as the very nice guy he clearly is, you see someone who has worked incredibly to get himself back to full fitness and who is acutely aware that he's in the final year of his current deal.

As 33-minute-cameos go, yesterday's was right up there. A bonafide gamechanger. And food for thought for Mr Knapper.

Well played, Onel.

He didn't do it alone of course. He had help from several mates, among them a young fresh-faced Croatian and a wily little Chilean.

There was something joyous about the way Ante Crnac crashed in that equaliser after Anis Ben Slimane had gifted the Hatters their opener. Not just the way he slammed the ball in the net but the way he created that opening for himself with some nifty footwork.

One week ago Crnac snatches at that and misses, but with that confidence-boosting sixth goal against Plymouth tucked up his sleeve, he looks a striker transformed. Rather than overthinking his runs and movement, all of a sudden they're happening instinctively, and instead of tightening up in front of goal, now the shoulders are relaxed and he's able to do what good strikers do.

And he is one. And will become an even better one.

Nice work, Ante. This is just the start.

Let's not forget either that the game was locked at 2-2 when Marcelino Nunez finally re-entered the fray after his eight-game hamstring hiatus. He too made the minutes of his cameo count. All 21 of them.

In that time, a 50/50 game was wrestled back in City's favour courtesy of some midfield control and some added energy - qualities that a fit-and-in-form Nunez brings in plentiful supply. And he looked both of those things.

With those around him tiring, it was the perfect time for Nunez to be re-introduced and he squeezed every last drop out of those 21 minutes. The calmness in possession, the eye for a pass, the closing down, and clever positioning. All qualities that were on display and, while I'm sure they will sensibly continue to manage his minutes, what he brings to this team was demonstrated perfectly.

Bienvenido de nuevo, Marcelino.

The biggest takeaway from yesterday though is probably the most obvious one: with a full squad and with a bench full of options we are a force to be reckoned with against anyone in this division.

When we have to dip into our squad's nether regions, we are reminded that its strength in depth is not its strong suit, but with options available to him, Thorup has demonstrated again that Hoff-ball can win difficult football matches.

Yesterday was one.

So, the roller-coaster endures. We find ourselves, for now, back in a good place. And all is calm.

Fair play too to Shane Duffy for making his peace with his River End foes on the lap of honour/thanks. His wobble only lasted for about ten minutes and, let's not forget, it was his charge into the Luton half and clever reverse pass to Crnac that led to the vital third goal.

Credit too to the Croatian for spurning the chance of his first City hat-trick in favour of a teammate who was in a marginally better position - another healthy sign in a group that has stuck together admirably in some difficult moments.

So... two wins in two, and again we start to look up rather than down.

This is fun, right?

OTBC