Manchester City prospect Joel Ndala was so impressive during the FA Youth Cup victory over Fleetwood he had former Premier League hero Shaun Goater singing his name from the commentary box.
It has been a gloomy 48 hours or so at the Etihad Stadium after City saw their financial details once again put under the microscope. Despite the club maintaining diligence, and innocence, being dragged through another public ordeal will bring no real winners, whatever the follow-up commission decides.
Defeat to Tottenham was tough enough to take on the pitch as Pep Guardiola and his star-studded seniors were unable to claw back ground on table-topping Arsenal before FFP concerns returned to the fore. But when the supporters and, perhaps, manager needed it most, they were offered light at the end of the tunnel.
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Armed with his Jack Grealish-like headband and finishing the game with an arm cast like that donned by popular Leicester City attacker Jamie Vardy, promising left-winger Ndala sparkled throughout what was a comfortable win over Fleetwood on Wednesday night. It's on to the quarter-finals for the next generation.
Justin Oboavwoduo naturally stole the initial headlines for his three goals, which resulted in him taking home the match ball, but delving a little deeper it was his fellow 16-year-old who really caught the eye, although not to discredit the impact ofthat hat-trick - which even Erling Haaland would be proud to put his name to.
While he was their standout performer for 90 minutes, Ndala required only a 17-second burst to underline his promise. It came during the build-up to the second goal - finished off by Matthew Whittingham - and sparked Goater into life as he channelled his inner pop star while commentating.
"Ndala, that's his name," he belted out to Rhianna's famous hit from 2010. Goater was in party mood and so too was Ndala, who did everything but score in a scintillating individual performance.
After playing a part in the opener, the second goal for City was all down to him as he recovered possession in trademark Guardiola fashion, before finding Whittingham who made no mistake with the finish. It all happened in the blink of an eye and yet this was no flash in the pan for Ndala.
Surprisingly bypassed for the third - turned home by Will Dickson - normal service resumed for the fourth goal when Ndala went on another mazy run, striking the post before regaining his composure on the rebound as he went on to tee-up Oboavwoduo.
Oboavwoduo promptly completed his hat-trick as City started to make changes with victory in the bag. Ndala could not be dragged off, though, as even a late knock which left him limping was not enough for the talented forward to call it a night. He went in one last search of a deserved goal.
That was not quite meant to be but, as he has all season, Ndala struck the right note, even if Goater might have been a little off-tune with his celebrations. In his defence, after such a testing few days for everyone associated with the Premier League champions, this was certainly something to sing and dance about.
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