It’s perhaps fair to suggest that Manchester City’s long-winded Carabao Cup victory over Wolves wasn’t the most enthralling spectacle, so it’s little wonder that a mischievous pitch invader grabbed all the attention.
Indeed, a rogue squirrel found its way inside the Etihad Stadium and duly made its presence known, toying with ground staff before kick-off.
Squirrel 1-0 Groundstaff pic.twitter.com/3xoqpWETA1
— Manchester City (@ManCity) October 24, 2017
The squirrel went scampering across the turf as the City players were warming up, nimbly evading capture at every turn.
There’s a squirrel on the pitch! I say again – there’s a squirrel on the pitch!! #mancity pic.twitter.com/0YNJJ6Cmpk
— CPN (@NieldyMCFC) October 24, 2017
Thankfully, the staff did finally manage to apprehend the interloper, only to discover that it was in fact a vocal City supporter.
“Come on, City!” pic.twitter.com/stfcQAbYdY
— Manchester City (@ManCity) October 24, 2017
What are the odds?
Indeed, in the aftermath of what is undoubtedly not going to be referred to as “Squirrelgate,” the central rodent protagonist became something of a tabloid star in its own right.
That squirrel though…..#mcfc pic.twitter.com/xCBeHDLJzc
— Martin Blackburn (@SunMartinB) October 25, 2017
“Nuts about Claudio” — See what they did there?
As for the game itself, Wolves bravely restricted City for 120 goalless minutes before eventually succumbing to a Sergio Aguero panenka in the ensuing penalty shootout, which the Premier League side won 4-1.
Chris covers the funny side of the game for ESPN FC in the Toe Poke blog.