Man City have not conceded a goal since they had a post-Christmas blow-out at Norwich in a thrilling 4-3 win, posting up four blank sheets on the run to confirm their status as the team with the best defensive record in the Premier League.
It appears that Roberto Mancini has hit on an excellent blend in his current preferred quartet of Pablo Zabaleta, Gael Clichy, Vincent Kompany and Matija Nastasic.
That is not ruling out Joleon Lescott, who remains a valued member of the squad and is likely to reclaim his place when the Blues head to Stoke for the FA Cup fourth round tie on Saturday.
And it will also be spiced up by the return of Micah Richards from his long-term knee injury next month – though he will have a job to replace Zabaleta, who has emerged as a top-quality defender and dangerous attacking full-back.