Bournemouth had a better defence than Uefa, but they could not withstand a Manchester City powered by Fernandinho as well as Monday's euphoria.
No matter the outcome of the game, the biggest win of the week was always going to be the over-turning of their two-year European ban on Monday.
And City are still honing themselves for an assault on this year’s tournament, beginning with that crunch second leg against Real Madrid in a little over two weeks.
With second place secured, it would appear the Blues players had little to compete for last night, but Pep Guardiola’s shrewd rotation ensured that his team were competitive and hungry.
None more so than Fernandinho, who has not figured prominently since the re-start, squeezed by the ever-improving Rodri in his old midfield position, and the emergence of 19-year-old Eric Garcia as an exceptional prospect at centre back.
But the Brazil midfielder showed just how much he still has to offer as the anchor in midfield, even at the age of 35.
David Silva was again the star attraction, with a goal, an assist and a display of mystical elegance.
But the rhythmical passing of Ilkay Gundogan, and the snap and go of Fernandinho laid the foundations for his damaging work.
At Southampton, he looked rusty and out of touch in the role which has made him an under-stated City legend.
But against a feisty and troublesome Bournemouth side, he showed that his old competitiveness, eye for an opening and that splash of Brazilian panache, are still there.
Rodri has made the position his own this season, but the injury to Aymeric Laporte removed Fernandinho as competition, as he was required to step into the back four, where he has probably been City’s best defender.
With Garcia and Laporte now seemingly Guardiola’s first-choice pairing, Fernandinho is a live option for holding midfield.
Rodri offers a touch more muscle, and the fact he has been playing all season in that role means he is acclimatised.
But Fernandinho is such a smart footballer, and after that one game at St Mary’s where it didn’t work, he was giving Guardiola food for thought.
His passing is better than that of Rodri, and the way he strode forward to lash a shot inches wide of Aaron Ramsdale’s post was a sharp reminder that he offers a better goalscoring option than the Spaniard.
The fact that he played last night indicates that Rodri has got the nod for the FA Cup semi-final against Arsenal on Saturday.
But Fernandinho’s reminder of his enduring quality and fierce will to win has given the boss another attractive option.
