Manchester City 1-0 Steaua Bucharest (agg 6-0): Joe Hart keeps clean sheet as City progress By Ben Nagle
Last Updated: 25/08/16 12:40am
Joe Hart kept a clean sheet in what could be his final appearance for Manchester City as Pep Guardiola's side confirmed their place in the Champions League group stages with a 1-0 second-leg victory over Steaua Bucharest. City's progression was a formality when Fabian Delph scored a single goal to add to their 5-0 first-leg lead and secure a 6-0 aggregate triumph at the Etihad Stadium. But with Claudio Bravo arriving in Manchester to finalise a move on Thursday, the spotlight was firmly on Hart, who captained his side to victory in what may have been the last game of a 10-year City career. n a goalless first half devoid of many clear-cut chances, the best of the lot fell to Nolito. City's new striker tried an acrobatic effort from the cross of Yaya Toure, only to see it held well by Alina Cojocaru.
Kelechi Iheanacho was handed a first competitive start under Guardiola, and he twice forced the Steaua goalkeeper into a save in the opening 45 minutes.
Inside 10 minutes, the 19-year-old had the first shot of the game when he picked up Aleksandar Kolarov's inch-perfect pass on the edge of the box to swivel and shoot, but it was saved well.
Cojocaru again came to the rescue for the Romanian side 10 minutes later, when Iheanacho time tried to curl into the far corner. His left-footed effort was tame, though, and Steaua survived to take City in level at the break.
When the two teams came out for the second half, it was again City who dominated proceedings and it did not take long before they were in front.
Delph had an initial chance to put the home side ahead after he was played through by Iheanacho, but the 'keeper saved well to keep the England international at bay.
Just seconds later, though, it was the same player who broke the deadlock, this time assisted by Jesus Navas. The Spaniard lofted a cross into the box, which Delph converted with a clinical header.
This match was done and dusted before a ball was kicked in anger on Wednesday night, but a goal appeased the fans and gave Guardiola something to think about regarding Delph's place in the team.
The only negative for the home side came when Iheanacho pulled up with 15 minutes remaining of the tie. Racing with Bogdan Mitrea for a loose ball, the young forward fell to the turf and had to be taken off on a stretcher minutes later.
He went off to a warm round of applause, but the main reception of the night was saved for goalkeeper Hart. Throughout the match, his name was sung and at one point the 29-year-old appeared emotional as he touched the badge on his chest.
At full-time, the goalkeeper clapped all four stands of the Etihad Stadium. "Forever City's No 1," read one banner behind the goal.
http://www.skysports.com/football/man-city-vs-s-bucuresti/366588
