Manchester City beat Steaua Bucharest 1-0 at the Etihad Stadium to progress through to the draw for the Champions League group stage.
Hart during the warm-up
With City having won the first leg 5-0, it would have taken a miracle for the Romanian side to overcome the deficit against superior opposition. Sadly for them, the miracle was not forthcoming.
Manager Pep Guardiola elected to field a weakened side – including a first start of the season for Joe Hart amid rumours he may leave before the end of the transfer window – that was rarely troubled by the opposition.
Guardiola’s men had the lion’s share of possession and eventually took the lead through a Fabian Delph header after 56 minutes. It proved to be the game’s solitary goal.
With the signing of Claudio Bravo on the verge of being announced, and with Willy Caballero having started the first three games of the season, the match did have somewhat of a valedictory feel to it for Hart.
His every touch was cheered by the City fans, while he also made a point of applauding all four corners of the ground at the final whistle.
City – with or without the England goalkeeper – will now enter Thursday’s Champions League draw along with Leicester City, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur.
Here is a selection of images from the action at the Etihad Stadium:
Hart leads the players out on to the pitch before the game
Steaua Bucharest coach Laurentiu Reghecampf and City manager Guardiola
Nolito shoots at goal
Guardiola speaks to John Stones
Fabian Delph scores City’s first goal
City celebrate Delph’s goal
Hart in a rare moment of action
Kelechi Iheanacho pulls up with an injury
Hart points to fans as he celebrates at the end of the match
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