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.
